Local woman accepts Royal Seal of Approval for NICFC

BROUGHSHANE woman Gillian Creevy was delighted and honoured recently to receive a very special certificate from HRH The Earl of Wessex on behalf of the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children (NICFC) of which she is Chief Executive.

Prince Edward was visiting NICFC’s respite facilities, Shimna Valley and Narnia to present Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award Certificates to participants from NICFC.

Since its introduction in 2005, The Duke of Edinburgh Programme has been a core activity within NICFC’s Youth Programme, offering teenagers and young adults aged 14 – 25 years old the opportunity to complete their Bronze, Silver and Gold Award programmes.

Each award is tailored to allow young people living with cancer to develop individual skills at their own pace, and in the past seven years, 140 young people living with cancer have successfully completed the programme.

A highlight of the day was when he presented the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Operating Authority Licence Certificate to Broughshane resident, Gillian Creevy on behalf of the NICFC.

Speaking at the event, Gillian said, “The young people who have completed their Duke of Edinburgh Award have faced many personal challenges, yet they have shown great strength and determination in achieving this accolade.

“We are thrilled their hard work and dedication has been recognised and would like to thank HRH, The Earl of Wessex for personally acknowledging their fantastic achievements. This will hopefully send out a message to other young people living with cancer that there are opportunities such as The Duke of Edinburgh Award available, which will allows to embark on new adventures and fulfil their true potential”.