Front Page Bar raises over £12k for charity

Each year the staff and patrons at the popular Ballymena venue select a charitable cause to benefit from their “Making A Difference” fundraising efforts. 2011 was the turn of the N.I .Children’s Hospice.

Proprietor Stephen Reynolds said: “There are currently over 300 children, including a number from Ballymena and district, living in N. Ireland with various, challenging conditions, some of which are life-limiting and requiring Hospice care.

The N.I.Children’s Hospice at Horizon House, Newtownabbey provides respite and end-of-life care for those very special children in a home from home setting. They do an outstanding job.”

Ninety participants courageously ignored atrocious weather conditions on a cold, wet Sunday afternoon in October 2011 to complete the annual Front Page “Making A Difference” 10km Sponsored Walk. The event generated a staggering £12,126.64 for N.I. Children’s Hospice with the final cheque being handed over this week.

Stephen explained, “I thought we had all done very well to raise £7,500 for Shimna Valley Holiday House in Newcastle, Co. Down as part of N.I. Cancer Fund for Children, the previous year. However the staff and patrons have excelled themselves this time around. We were supported by teams of walkers from Sitting Room Hair Salon, Gwen @ Café Nobel, Classic Cuisine and the local Electoral Office. The efforts of everyone involved is very much appreciated.”

Stephen added, “Despite the current economic climate the ever generous people of Ballymena and district have yet again rallied to support some of those less fortunate than ourselves.”

Team Front Page is already on the fundraising trail again for 2012. If you would like to nominate a charitable cause to be considered as beneficiary of their efforts during 2012 then please drop them a line, giving as much information as possible, to the “Front Page “Making a Difference for Charity” 9 Ballymoney Street, Ballymena. BT43 6AL or email [email protected]