Lottery funding to fight killer diseases

More than £600,000 of lottery funding is to be invested into combating three of the biggest killers in the Newry and Mourne area of Northern Ireland.

The funding, by National Lottery 'good cause' contributor, New Opportunities Fund aims to benefit people who have had or are at risk of developing coronary heart disease, stroke and cancer.

These services will also meet the needs of carers, families, staff and local communities through the provision of education, training and advice.

Breidge Gadd, the New Opportunities Fund’s Northern Ireland Board Member, outlined the vision behind the programme. She said: “These projects will play a significant role in reducing local health inequalities. I am particularly delighted that we are supporting grass-roots or community based prevention projects, in partnership with Health and Social Services professionals, which are well placed to tackle factors such as poor diet, food poverty and social isolation.”

Teresa Ross, chairperson of the New Opportunities Fund Steering Group within the Newry and Mourne Health and Social Services Trust, added: “The services have been planned in consultation with service users and local communities to improve access in all areas to high quality diagnostic and treatment services. This will be especially true for people living in remote areas who often have to travel long distances for treatment.

“All of the projects launched today will offer patients dignity, choice, understanding and treatment. The Trust has worked closely with voluntary and community services to ensure that the funding will make a huge difference to the lives of people in Newry and Mourne.”

The New Opportunities Fund is the biggest of the National Lottery good cause distributors, providing National Lottery funding for health, education and environment projects across the UK, with a particular focus on disadvantage and improving quality of life.

(MB)