“My first encounter with the charity was over 40 years ago when it was known as Friends of Montgomery House. It was 1985 and I had just started at Belvoir Park Hospital and even in its early days, I could see how important the charity was to the day to day running of the hospital. It was small, but dynamic in action, funding vital equipment such as a CT scanner and MRI machine.
“Over the years I’ve been able to see just how much the charity has grown. From a team of volunteers and an income of around £100,000 a year, to a professional organisation investing over £1 million a year into local cancer services. More importantly, I’ve been able to witness the incredible difference the charity makes to thousands of people across Northern Ireland. The charity greatly enhances the quality of care we offer our patients.
“From its vital role in our staff infrastructure, which is the very basis of how we care for our patients, to funding vital research and supporting clinical trials, which is giving hope to many. The charity’s support also allows us to look in new directions, supporting new developments which we might not have been able to do if the charity wasn’t here.
“The goodwill that exists among patients and the wider public towards helping the charity is humbling. This generosity has inspired me over the years, encouraging me to get on my bike with colleagues and friends to raise over £250,000 support the charity’s work. This was our way of thanking them for doing so much to support our patients, helping them to do even more as a result.
“I am proud to serve as a trustee of the charity and over the years I’ve been able to see the difference its work makes not only to my patients, but to people and families right across Northern Ireland. The charity has achieved a great deal and supported thousands of people along the way, but there is always more to be done. There will always be a need for Friends of the Cancer Centre and we will always need you, our friends.”
All Rights Reserved by Friends of the Cancer Centre.
Friends of the Cancer Centre is a registered company limited by guarantee in Northern Ireland. Company number NI616925. Registered with The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC101345.
