ROYAL BLACK RAISE HALF A MILLION POUNDS FOR CHARITY

The Royal Black Institution has broken through the half a million pounds mark in raising money for charity.

The money was raised by members of the institution since 2002 and went to six charities, two in Africa and the rest locally based.

Senior office bearers of the Royal Black Institution at the presentation of a cheque for £95,000 to the Alzheimer’s Society. in the picture from left are: Thelma Abernethy Alzheimer’s Society, Bernadine McCrory Operations Director – Alzheimer’s Society, William Scott Grand Registrar, William Abernethy Grand Treasurer, Mrs Alison Diffin-Office Administrator, Janet Plunkett & Carole Murray Alzheimer’s Society.

The latest cheque, for £95,000 was presented to the Alzheimer’s Society at a special function in the Royal Black Headquarters in Brownlow House, Lurgan.

The breakdown of money raised over the past decade was:

• 2002 – Chest Heart and Stroke N.I.  £66,000
• 2004 – Action MS                             £80,000
• 2006 – Open Door Ministry in Sudan         £90,000
• 2008 – Diabetes UK                                    £77,000
• 2010 – Kiwoko Hospital in Uganda         £105,000
• 2012 – Alzheimer’s Society                        £95,000

Millar Farr, Sovereign Grand Master of the Royal Black Institution, said they were extremely pleased with the money raised by members.

“As a Christian based organisation it is very important to us that we are able to help people in this society and in other countries. The response from our members right across Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and further afield has been tremendous.

“We began the Royal Black Charity Appeal in 2002 and a wide range of fund raising events have been held  over the past 10 years to help us break through the half a million pounds mark. It really has been a magnificent effort and I want to thank every single person in the Institution who contributed to all these wonderful causes.

“Many other people also helped us raise the money and our thanks are also due to them.

“We know from the charities that the money raised has made a real difference to the lives of many people and that is the most important thing of all.

“We are delighted to be able to help the Alzheimer’s Society. It is an organisation which leads the fight against dementia in Northern Ireland and it does wonderful work throughout the community.”

Bernadine McCrory, Director of Alzheimer’s Society in Northern Ireland added:
“We in Alzheimer’s Society would also like to add our heartfelt thanks to the members, their friends and families who helped raise such a significant amount of money for our charity.

“Over 19,000 people have dementia in Northern Ireland and this donation will help us to help them. In particular, this money will allow us to reach people in rural communities providing them with information about dementia and challenging stigma. Some of the monies will also go towards a research project we are funding at Queen’s University into care in residential homes for residents with advanced forms of dementia”.