Mayor to raise funds for three charities

Alderman Lyn Frazer, will be raising funds for three well deserving charities – the Make a Wish foundation UK, CRY and the Antrim Area Hospital Intensive Care Unit throughout her term as Newtownabbey Mayor.

The Alliance politician will raise much-needed funds through a variety of events during the year including Christmas collections in Ballyclare, Glengormley and the Abbeycentre and at the Mayor's Annual Charity Golf Day.

"the charities I have chosen to raise funds for are extremely worthwhile causes," she said.

I hope the residents of Newtownabbey and local businesses will show their support through donations and sponsorship at various fundraising events throughout the year."

Make a Wish Foundation has a very simple objective – to grant wishes of children and young people aged 3 to 17 living with life-threatening illnesses.

The charity was founded in the UK in 1986 and three years later the first Northern Ireland volunteer group was established in Bangor. Now with an office in Belfast, the region has become the busiest within the charity's 7 regions, last year granting 45 wishes. With over 25 wishes currently waiting to be granted in Northern Ireland at the moment and an expectation of receiving many more referrals over the next six months, the charity will certainly benefit from the support of the Mayor.

CRY is a charity that offers help, support and counselling to families who have suffered a sudden cardiac death of an apparently fit and healthy young person. The charity has a network of individuals who have suffered a tragedy, some of which have undergone training to support others through their loss.

The charity is hoping to launch a cardiac screening clinic for Northern Ireland at the University of Ulster, Jordanstown, on 1st November this year, which will prove a clinic once a month for all young people in Northern Ireland to avail of.

Antrim Hospital Intensive Care Unit fund will also benefit from monies raised throughout the year. Money donated to the fund will help to buy new equipment, help with patient care, comfort and staff training.