Chairman Announces Charities for 2018/2019

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairman, Councillor Mark Murnin has announced the names of the charities he will be supporting throughout his term of Office. The three charities that he has chosen are Air Ambulance NI, Glebe House—Harmony Community Trust, and Newry and District Gateway Club.

The Chairman met recently with representatives from the charities to discuss his plans for a number of exciting and innovative events over the coming year.

Chairman, Councillor Mark Murnin said, “Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has the support of health and well-being outcomes as one of our strategic priorities. The organisations I have chosen as my charities are vital to helping the Council realise this objective.

“It is by working together that we achieve successful outcomes. I am planning a number of events, spread throughout the district, which I will use to highlight the work of my chosen charities. These events will raise funding for the charities to assist with the vital work they carry out on a daily basis. I will soon announce details of events I am planning, and am confident that the community of Newry, Mourne and Down district will, as always, give their full support.”

Air Ambulance NI Area Fundraising Manager, Colleen Milligan said, “We would like to sincerely thank the new Chairman of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Councillor Mark Murnin for choosing Air Ambulance NI as one of his charities to support throughout his term of office. We are a relatively new service which requires public support to survive, so this chance to raise our profile and much needed funds is welcomed. Serious or life-threatening situations can happen to anyone at any time and, on average, one person a day finds themself in desperate need of AANI.

“Since our launch last year we have responded to over 300 incidents with the most difficult being to Co Down. The primary role of the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service is to deliver advanced pre-hospital care to patients at the scene, whose lives are at risk following serious trauma. Air Ambulance NI needs to raise £2 million each year to maintain this service, so funding and public donations are crucial.”

Volunteer Member of the Harmony Community Trust—Glebe House Council of Management, Helen Honeyman said, “We at Glebe House, Harmony Community Trust are absolutely delighted that the Chairman of Newry Mourne and Down District Council has chosen us to be one of his supported charities for 2018-19.

“We are looking forward during the coming year, to a heightened profile and awareness for our on-going cross-community, positive Good Relations work with children, youth and older people throughout the District. We also welcome the opportunity to work together with the other chosen charities, the Air Ambulance service and Newry & District Gateway Club."

Jim McDonnell, Chairman of Newry and District Gateway Club said, “We are humbled, privileged and delighted to be nominated as one of the Chairman's chosen charities for 2018/2019. Our club which is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year continues to provide much needed recreation, education and cultural activities for its many members. We depend on the many donations we receive and, without these, our task would be impossible."