Ulster Hockey has announced a three-year charity partnership with Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice.
Players, including Olympic Games-bound star Shirley McCay, and committee members, visited Horizon House in Belfast where they met with children, families and staff and were given a tour of specialist care facilities.
As part of the partnership, Ulster Hockey has pledged to fund a Children’s Hospice Staff Nurse and will raise awareness of the charity with the Hospice logo featuring on all Ulster Hockey merchandise and signage at venues and games throughout the country.
Ulster Hockey is also taking part in the Children’s Hospice festive fundraising campaign, Jingle All the Way, with a number of players running in the Jingle 5k/10k run at Stormont on Sunday 8th December.
Marc Scott, Ulster Hockey’s Executive Manager, said: “The Board and staff of Ulster Hockey are humbled and proud to support NI Children’s Hospice. The cause of the Hospice affects us all in some way and we hope that, with the support of the hockey family, our contribution can help the Hospice to thrive and make a positive difference to the lives of children and families.”
Sheila Duffy, Head of Corporate Partnership Partnerships at NI Children’s Hospice added: “It’s great to have Ulster Hockey on board supporting the Children’s Hospice through a range of fundraising and awareness initiatives. We are all looking forward to a great relationship with a large population of local hockey players and supporters throughout Northern Ireland.”
NI Children’s Hospice is the only service of its type in Northern Ireland caring for over 300 local infants, children and young people with life-limited conditions every year.
It costs £3.8 million per year to run children’s services, with approximately 35% of these costs met by statutory funding.
For more information on Jingle All the Way and how you can get involved in the campaign, please visit: nihospice.org/jingle or call 028 9077 7123.
