Rose Neill, Northern Ireland’s longest standing newscaster, took centre stage at a charity event organised by The Hospital Saturday Fund at Belfast City Hall on Wednesday 3rd March, where 26 charities based in Northern Ireland received over £34,000 in donations.
TinyLife, Age Concern Help The Aged, Ulster Cancer Foundation and Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children were amongst some of the many local N.I charities that received donations, at this first-ever event held in Belfast by The Hospital Saturday Fund – a charity supported by HSF health plan, that gives hundreds of thousands of pounds to medical charities, hospices and hospitals each year.
A familiar and friendly face in Northern Ireland for over 30 years, Rose Neill is involved with numerous charities and is currently Honorary Vice Patron of the Ulster Cancer Foundation, Chairperson of Riding for the Disabled Association and is involved with the Northern Ireland Mother & Baby appeal.
“I am thrilled to support the HSF event, the donations are a great help for the charities and will offer real benefit to local people” commented Rose Neill.
The event was hosted by the Belfast City Council, represented by The Rt Hon The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Naomi Long MLA.
The Lord Mayor said she was delighted that this event was being held in Belfast for the first time in its history.
“On behalf of the citizens of Belfast I am pleased to say a very big thank you for the generous donations of more than £34,000 to a range of charities across Northern Ireland. These organisations work tirelessly on behalf of those in need of our help and support, so it is heartwarming to see their efforts being rewarded in this way,” she said.
The Hospital Saturday Fund is a registered charity, with HSF health plan as its trading subsidiary. It was founded in 1873, before the NHS existed, when contributors’ money went towards the upkeep of local hospitals. These days, HSF health plan contributors can claim back cash on a wide range of medical expenses, ranging from dental and optical bills to complementary therapies and hospital admissions.
Chief Executive of the Hospital Saturday Fund, Keith Bradley, says: “The Hospital Saturday Fund has always maintained the aims and ideals of its founders and the surplus from its health plan continues to enable it to make donations to medical charities. We know our contributors in Northern Ireland like to see something going back into their community, so we’re delighted to be making these donations.”
Go to www.hsf.co.uk for more information or call 020 7202 1365.
Charities receiving donations:
Cystic Fibrosis Trust
School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen’s University, Belfast
Leonard Cheshire Disability
Niamh (NI Association for Mental Health)
Wellchild
Southern Area Hospice Services
Area Hospice Services
The Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children
TinyLife
The Royal Air Forces Association
Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stoke Association
Age Concern Help the Aged NI
Ulster Cancer Foundation
SPARKS NI
Northern Ireland Hospice
South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
ZEST – Healing the Hurt Ltd
Alzeheimer’s Society
RNIB
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Alzheimer’s Society
Marie Curie Hospice
Northern Ireland Ambulance Service
Ulster Cancer Foundation
Northern Ireland Ambulance Service
RNIB N.I
Age Concern Help The Aged N.I
NIDYA (Northern Ireland Deaf Youth Association)
Belfast City Hospital
Meningitis Trust
Action MS
Northern Ireland Hospice
The Cedar Foundation
Action MS
Crossroads Caring for Carers (NI)
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust