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Lissummon Community is delighted to announce a whopping £12,566 was raised during two 24 hour spinathons in support of both MacMillan Cancer and NI Pancreatic Cancer charities.
The most recent event held last month raised £4500 in support of NI Pancreatic Cancer (NIPANC), a charity working to improve the outcomes of pancreatic cancer and to promote better diagnosis and treatment for future patients.
Paul McCaffery, Chairman of Lissummon GFC and native of the local community recently lost his father to Pancreatic Cancer. Paul said: “From when dad was diagnosed to when he passed away was extremely quick. As a family we wanted to do something not only to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer and the signs and symptoms, but also to donate money towards improvements in early diagnoses, treatment and research to help other people who have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and the families who have been through what we have.”
Ivan McMinn, Chairperson of NIPANC said; “It has been a pleasure for me to visit Lissummon Community Centre to meet those involved with this fundraising event and collect this incredible donation from them. The funds raised in memory of John McCaffery will be used in helping us with our three aims; to raise awareness of the symptoms of pancreatic cancer; to fund research to fight this terrible disease; and to support those impacted by this diagnosis, all too often unfortunately those coping with the loss of a loved one.”
The previous spinathon held just before Covid in 2020, which we never got to celebrate, raised a £8066 for MacMillan Cancer Support organised by the O’Hagan family from Lissummon in memory of their mother.
Overwhelmed with the support from the local community and beyond, Rose Barron (nee O’Hagan) said:
“Just before covid hit, we lost our mum and experienced first-hand the care, dedication and professionalism of the Macmillan Cancer Support Team.
“We have all seen the posters and ad campaigns for Macmillan, but it’s not until they come through your door, to assist someone you love dearly, that you realize how vital their service is, not only in terms of the medical care to the patient, but the support they give to the family. We will be forever grateful to the Macmillan nurse who attended mum the day she passed away.
“Many families in the Newry and Mourne area, like ourselves, have availed of the services of Macmillan and we felt, as a family that organizing a fundraiser we could, in some small way, say thank you, by helping to raise much needed funds for the service in this area.”
Martha McGrath, Chairperson of Macmillan Cancer Support, Newry, thanked the Lissummon Pedal for a Purpose team for the magnificent donation of £8066 and stated that she acknowledged the planning and hard work that went into organising such a successful event.
She added; “Due to Covid and subsequent restrictions, Macmillan had been unable to fundraise and these events were so important in helping to raise much needed funds. She stated that in the first 6 weeks of 2022 Macmillan had given out £80,000 in grants and with the cost of living going up and reaching crisis point Macmillan has set aside £3.5million to provide funding and grants to people who have found themselves in financial difficulties due to a cancer diagnosis. All of this money comes from donations and fundraising events and that is why these events are needed and greatly appreciated by Macmillan.”
Paul concluded; “It’s truly remarkable what local communities can do when they come together. I want to personally thank the Lissummon Community, neighbours and local businesses for their kind generosity, participation and support during these events. These proceeds will go a long way to help others diagnosed with cancer and their families in the future.”
