Launch event for Newry Christmas sit out appeal
DUP MLA for Newry & Armagh William Irwin recently hosted the launch of John Dalzell’s Christmas Sit-out appeal which will take place in Newry from the 17th to the 24th December.
Speaking to Newry Times, Irwin said he was absolutely delighted to host John Dalzell and his team at Stormont to officially launch the Christmas sit-out appeal in aid of the Southern Area Hospice.
He said, “I felt very privileged to have John Dalzell and some of his team of helpers at Stormont to launch their 24th Christmas appeal. John has raised a staggering £1.3 million for the Southern Area Hospice in Newry and this has been instrumental in helping the Hospice provide the magnificent care that it does for all of its patients.”
Commenting about the Sit-out appeal John Dalzell said that this was would be his 24th year undertaking his ‘Black Santa’ duties in Newry. “It has been a privilege to have been able to raise so much money for such a good cause and year after year I am always humbled by the generosity of the whole community across such a wide swathe of the country.”
John also spoke of the tremendous personal affinity he has with the Southern Area Hospice and its founder members and said he was looking forward to 2015 being the best year yet.
John was accompanied to Stormont by Majella Gollogly, Fundraising Manager with the Southern Area Hospice. Majella spoke passionately about the work of the Hospice in Newry and commended John for the unbelievable fundraising efforts that he has been involved in over these many years and described him as ‘one in a million’.
She also reminded those present that it currently takes £2.3 million per year to keep the Southern Area Hospice going, of which two thirds must be realised through fundraising.
The event was co-hosted by MLA Jim Wells and also present was the Health Minister Simon Hamilton, who commended John Dalzell on his sterling fundraising efforts to date and wished him well for 2015.
Also present at the launch of the sit-out appeal in Stormont were members representing the Ulster Unionist Party and Sinn Fein.
Irwin added, “It was a pleasure to have Mr John Dalzell and his team at Stormont for the launch of the Newry sit-out appeal and I hope that 2015 will be the best ever year in terms of money raised for the Hospice.”
Short URL: https://newrytimes.com/?p=54089
Posted by Newry Times News
on Dec 11 2015. Filed under Community, What's On.
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