22/11/2004

Queen’s launch Toy Appeal for NI Children's Hospice

Queen's University has launched its annual Toy Appeal for the Northern Ireland Children's Hospice.

Last year, the Appeal, which is fast becoming a Christmas tradition at the University, received over 350 gifts and toys of fantastic quality, while staff also handed over £902 with an additional £322 from the Armagh campus.

This year Queen's head porter Chris Shannon and his team of dedicated helpers have launched a fresh campaign to do even more to help this local charity at the festive season.

"I would love to be able to increase our support to the Hospice at this seasonal time of year," said Chris. "As before, the focal point for the Appeal will be the Christmas tree in the Administration Building around which colleagues may leave their gifts. But, we're also more than happy to take donations in cash, and know that this money will be specifically allocated to sponsoring a Christmas party for the Hospice children and their families.

“Financial donations will really make a big difference to the work the hospice does,” Chris added. “In 2004/5 they must raise £1.5 million to provide care at the Children's Hospice and in the community. With no government funding it therefore depends entirely on the local community to maintain the vital services provided.”

Toys and cash donations – by the appeal deadline of 20 December - can be left at a number of collection points throughout the campus including porters' offices at the Ashby Building, David Keir Building, Newforge, Medical Biology Centre, the Administration Building, the Royal Victoria Hospital and the Peter Froggatt Centre.

(MB/SP)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

09 August 2022
NI Children's Hospice Invest In New Specialist Mobility Equipment
The NI Children's Hospice has invested in new specialist mobility equipment with the recent granting of funds from the Energy for Children Charitable Trust.
19 November 2014
£1m Funding Announced For Children's Hospice
£1m funding has been announced for the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice. First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, together with Health Minister Jim Wells, announced the funding today.
25 March 2010
Stepping Out For Hospice Funds
The Northern Ireland Hospice is calling on the public to put a spring in their step and get registered for Hospice Big Walk Week. Boosting the call to register, UTV's Julian Simmons and 'Mrs Walker', Olivia Nash have appealed to the public to support NI's biggest family walking event, now in its 30th year.
17 June 2015
£1.6m Needed To Complete New Hospice
The Northern Ireland Hospice is urgently calling for support to complete its new state-of-the-art dementia-friendly hospice. Work started on the north Belfast Somerton Road project in March 2014, at the cost of £13m and, to date, a total of £11.4m has been secured, however the hospice needs a further £1.6m to finish the project.
18 June 2002
NI Hospice require £1m to avert funding crisis
The Northern Ireland Hospice has asked the Northern Ireland Executive’s Health Minister Bairbre de Brún to step in and avert a major funding crisis. The hospice said they needed an “immediate injection of one million pounds” if it is to maintain current levels of service.