Daire Gault (3) and Meabh McGurn (3) from Oliver Plunkett Primary School were at the official launch of the Northern Ireland Hospice ‘Wall of Hope’ campaign at a special event aboard the SS Nomadic

OVER 30 local schools have pledged to support the Northern Ireland Hospice in the second year of its ‘Wall of Hope’ appeal, by raising funds that will go towards rebuilding the adult hospice in North Belfast.

Dozens of schools turned out for the official launch of the campaign, which returns for a second year, at a special event at the SS Nomadic.

Last year, the Wall of Hope initiative raised over £70,000, with 45 schools from right across Belfast, Lisburn and East Antrim getting behind the appeal.  Now, Northern Ireland Hospice is encouraging more schools to sign up to this year’s special appeal, to help build the Relatives and Children’s play area in the new hospice.

It is anticipated that each school that signs up to the Wall of Hope appeal will raise a minimum of £1,000. Funds raised will go towards the special Relatives and Children’s Play Area – an area where families can spend time together and play, providing some joy, comfort, privacy and dignity at a very difficult time.

Speaking at the launch event, Noreen Kennedy, Community Fundraising Manager said:

“We could not realise our dream of rebuilding our Hospice without the tremendous support we receive from communities right across Northern Ireland. The response to our Wall of Hope appeal has been wonderful; we have been overwhelmed by the innovative ways in which schoolchildren, teachers and parents have come together to raise money and support NI Hospice.  The money raised through this appeal will create a special space within the new hospice – an area where families can spend quality time together.

“We’re thrilled to see so many of our original schools back for a second year, along with many new schools but in order to realise our vision of rebuilding the NI Hospice, we still need more help. We’re calling on local schools to come on board and help us in this very special appeal to rebuild our hospice.”

Northern Ireland Hospice still needs to raise £2.1 million to complete the rebuild of the adult hospice.

When completed, the new hospice will provide 18 modern single en-suite bedrooms, a Day Hospice, an Outpatient Clinic, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy facilities, a dedicated Education and Research centre, special gardens for patients and families, the children’s and relatives area, as well as a sanctuary and many other areas all designed to bring care and comfort to Hospice patients.

Northern Ireland Hospice delivers end of life care to over 3,000 adults each year.

For more information on the ‘Wall of Hope’ appeal or how your school can get involved in the second phase of the appeal, please contact Northern Ireland Hospice on 028 9078 1836 or email fundraising@nihospice.org