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Members of the public and Newry Pool League have raised a fantastic £10,098.00 for Southern Area Hospice and PIPS Hope and Support following a call out by former council Chairperson Cllr Roisin Mulgrew for people to "Step Up" for the two charities over the Easter period.
Never have they needed us more. The thoughts and words of Councillor Mulgrew. Over the Easter period, Cllr Roisin Mulgrew unquestionably hosted the initiative to raise fundamental funds for the two local charities who face fundraising challenges with many of their events being postponed or cancelled due to this current pandemic.
Cllr Mulgrew with the help from beneficiaries PIPS Hope & Support and Southern Area Hospice launched the #StepUpForCharity initiative. Families across the area were encouraged to take part in a 5-minute step challenge from the safety of their own homes and donate what they could. With many local businesses, community groups and sporting groups getting behind the initiative by promoting and participating, the initiative raised an astounding £7,598.00. Following on from this, Newry Pool League echoed their support for the charities and fundraising initiative by donating a further £2000.00 to Southern Area Hospice and £500.00 to PIPS Hope and Support bringing the total to an incredible £10,098.00
On Friday 01st May, Cllr Mulgrew and Newry Pool League representatives presented funds raised to PIPS Hope and Support for £4,299.00 and Southern Area Hospice for £5,799.00
Speaking at the cheque presentation, Cllr Mulgrew thanked all those who supported and participated in the event. “Easter Sunday is a poignant day for many, and I felt I needed to deliver something fun for families to take part in whilst supporting PIPS Hope & Support and Southern Area Hospice who have been faced with major fundraising challenges during this current pandemic. These two charities, I believe need our support now more than ever and I wanted to do my bit by delivering an initiative to raise fundamental funds for the services which many of our community over the years have benefitted from and Step Up for Charity seemed the perfect one. The support from the local community, businesses and sporting groups has been exceptional and I would like to wholeheartedly thank each and every single person for their participation, support and donations for our charities”.
Roisin continued “The monies raised will support PIPS Hope & Support and the Southern Area Hospice in delivering their key services to our community and each person who participatedisto be commended for their efforts in ensuring this. I also wish to thank and acknowledge Newry Pool League for their donations to the charities in line with this fundraising event, we are very fortunate to have generous individuals in our society supporting local charities. I wish both organisations every success as we move forward and thank our community for their continued support to local charities”.
Pat Brady, Newry Pool League said “Newry Pool League has for many years been supporting local causes and we are delighted to be able donate to PIPS Hope & Support and Southern Area Hospice this year incorporating our donation into this initiative to support the fundamental services both charities provide on a daily basis. Thanks to all of the pool league players and anyone who supported the efforts of the league in anyway. A special mention to Destination Newry for their continuous support throughout”.
Padraig Harte, Fundraising Coordinator for PIPS Hope and Support thanked Cllr Mulgrew and all involved for their support and generosity. “PIPS Hope and Support take this opportunity to extend our appreciation and thanks to Cllr Roisin Mulgrew and all involved for their support and generosity to our Charity. Roisin has been instrumental in ensuring this initiative was delivered and a success. We were delighted to see a huge involvement from families, clubs and businesses across the area and we are grateful and appreciative of all. We wish to acknowledge the donation also from Newry Pool League and thank the group for their support in these unprecedented times.
"All funds donated to PIPS Hope and Support makes a significant difference to the lives of families and individuals who are mentally or emotionally distressed and in need of meaningful support, helping to save lives from suicide.”
Padraig finished by saying “PIPS Hope and Support during this current pandemic are continuing to provide immediate therapy to anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts, high levels of anxiety, poor mental health or bereaved through suicide. You are not alone, if you need support, call our office on 028 3026 6195 or email info@pipshopeandsupport.org.
Siobhan McArdle, Assistant Fundraising Manager for Southern Area Hospice said “our sincere thanks firstly to Roisin Mulgrew for coming up with Step Up For Charity, and also to everyone who supported both ourselves and PIPS and Stepped Up too. These are very difficult times for us all, but despite all of our Fundraising Events being postponed or cancelled Hospice care must continue, and so it does. Local patients need us just as much now as ever before, and so all events like this one are very important to us. Our sincere thanks also to everyone at Newry Pool League for their continued support and their very generous donation to our work. We said many weeks ago that often the most difficult times brings out the very best of people and we find that to be true every day”.
