The Newtownbreda HPS Clubrooms was the venue recently for the INFC Charity Cheque presentations the theme of which on this occasion was cancer care in the community. Members of the show committee were present as were members from the various charities who were to receive cheques. Chairman Ken McConaghie assisted by Show Secretary Jimmy Hughes opened the proceedings and explained how the funds were raised. The Irish Nat FC has operated a major show on the second Saturday in December each year at the Kings Hall complex, around 1,000 fanciers attend each year. They collect an entry fee at the door and Helen Marshall has been operating a very successful raffle to add to the funds. By far the most money is raised in the annual auction organised since the very first show by the INFC Patron and top scribe Ronnie Johnston. Birds are donated by some of the very top lofts not only in Ireland but across the whole of the UK, many are direct from the seasons top race winners and are only available at a sale like this. The most recent sale was a little bit down, that was expected in the circumstances with the general economy, despite that the meeting was pleased to report that well over £250,000 has been presented to charity over a 30 year plus history. A decision had been made a few years back that monies raised would go direct to good local causes and thus cut out all the admin that was costing a lot. The committee are rightly proud of their achievements over a long period of time and it’s well appreciated. Tom Marshall a top supporter and sponsor since the start presented the cheques and each organization in turn explained in a short speech, what the money would be used for.
The list this year included: Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children £2,500, Northern Ireland Hospice £1,000, Southern Area Hospice Services £1,000, Bridgewater Suite £1,000, Haematology Research Fund £1,000, Haematology Unit Royal Victoria Hospital for Sick Children £1,000, Caron Keating Foundation £850.
On the top of this there was a cheque presentation to MacMillan Cancer Support of £3,000 raised by the Clearance Sale for Will Patterson of Dromore who had to leave the sport for health reasons. He very kindly added funds to bring the total to £3,000 and the cheque was presented by Wesley Sawyers who auctioned the birds in the Banbridge British Legion.
Ken thanked Newtownbreda HPS for the loan of the hall and Helen Marshall and the other ladies who supplied tea and coffee. It was another grand occasion for the pigeon fancy who are well known for their charity work. A massive well done, to all concerned.
The Show Committee who attended the cheque presentation
at Newtownbreda HPS Clubrooms in Belfast.
Tom Marshall presents Ross from the NI Hospice with his cheque for £1,000.
Naiomi collects a cheque for £2,500 to aid NI Cancer Fund for Children.
Fiona for Southern Area Hospice Services based in Newry collects her cheque for £1,000.
Michael Quinn (r) collects his cheque for £1,000 going to
Bridgewater Suite at City Hospital.
Fiona Stevenson from Dromara collects a cheque for £1,000
to aid the Haematology Unit at RVH for Sick Children.
Wesley Sawyers presents a cheque value £3,000 to Margaret
to assist MacMillan Cancer Support.