Northern Bank Funds Family Support Group in Craigavon

The Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) will be extending its monthly family support group meetings to Craigavon, thanks to fundraising by Northern Bank staff and customers.

The family support group will meet on Wednesday 24th April at the Brownlow Community Centre, Craigavon, from 7.00pm – 9.00pm.

 Rachel Smith, UCF’s Family Support Service Coordinator who takes the meeting said, “This support group is open to any family where children have lost a significant adult in their life to cancer. This can be a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle or friend.  It is an opportunity for families to come together and support each other in a friendly and relaxed environment. During the evening we look at the challenge of being bereaved by cancer and we extend a very warm welcome to all new members.”

Joyce Savage, Head of Appeals and Marketing, UCF said, “We are absolutely delighted at the tremendous amount raised by Northern Bank staff and customers.  It has provided a massive boost for our Family Support Service which was overwhelmed by demands on its resources.  With the funds raised by Northern Bank, families will no longer join a waiting list to be seen, instead we can offer them immediate support.”

One family who have benefitted from Northern Bank’s support is the Harte family from Craigavon.  Donald, who sadly lost his wife Anna to cancer in 2010, said, “It’s difficult to put into words how much UCF’s Family Support Service has helped our family. 

“We received specialist practical and emotional support as well as advice and guidance.  Together they helped us, as a family, prepare for Anna’s death and cope with life after.

“Since Anna’s death we have attended UCF’s Family Support nights, for families that have been bereaved, inBelfastand now also in Craigavon.  During the evenings there are family activities and games; we share food and then there are separate children and adult sessions focusing on family life and coping with loss.

“The children take great comfort knowing that they are not alone as all of the children attending have lost a close family member.  I also get the chance to meet other parents who are in a similar situation.   This support is invaluable in helping us cope with milestones such as birthdays and anniversaries.”

UCF’s Family Support Service provides practical and emotional support to the entire family unit which can involve individual or group support; home and hospital visits as well as telephone and email support.  The service also offers parental and pre-bereavement support, family support evenings and residential breaks for children to unwind and have fun with their peers who are in a similar situation.

Northern Bank staff and customers raised over £150,000 for UCF’s Family Support Service in 2011. This investment helped provide support for 83 families and 173 children during 2011 ranging in age from 3 months to 21 years. Northern Bank’s support for a second consecutive year ensures the Family Support Service will be further strengthened and extended in 2012 and that it is widely accessible throughoutNorthern Ireland.  If you would like to make a donation to UCF’s Family Support Service, please contact UCF or call into any Northern Bank branch.

If you would like more information on UCF’s Family Support Service please call UCF’s Care Services team on 028 9066 3281 or click www.ulstercancer.org. To confirm your attendance to the Craigavon Family Support Group please contact Rachel Smith at UCF on 028 9068 0772 or email rachelsmith@ulstercancer.org.

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For furtherinformation please contact:

Pauline Wylie, PR & Events Manager, UCF on 028 9066 3281 / 07810 371118

or

Derval McVerry, PR & Events Officer, UCF on 028 9066 3281 / 07812 525531