30 minute read
President’s Annual Dinner 2022
President’s Annual dinner
Back in October, we held our flagship President’s Annual Dinner at the White Horse Hotel, Derry, bringing together over 350 business leaders, politicians, dignitaries, and civic leaders to celebrate the brightest and best of local North West business. Delivering his address to attendees, President Aidan O’Kane reflected on the strength, leadership and enterprising spirit continually shown by the local business community and issued a direct call for an end to political stalemate to ensure that businesses are supported at this time of great economic uncertainty.
Aidan O’Kane said anything less than a functioning Executive, political leadership and direct assistance to business at this time must be considered as nothing but a disappointment. Amidst unprecedent economic turmoil, the business community and the region as a whole is being neglected each day the political impasse continues. Aidan reiterated the Chamber’s calls for targeted, concerted policy solutions to the cost-of-living crisis.
“It should not be left up to local
Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Sandra Duffy and Chamber President, Aidan O’Kane
business leaders across this country to provide leadership in the absence of a functioning Executive. Government intervention and support is needed now for our businesses and every day without it means another small or independent business going to the wall”, said Aidan.
Aidan issued a call to action to our political leaders, “Work collaboratively, overcome challenges or issues with a sense and spirit of collegiality, and get back to delivering for the people of the North West and Northern Ireland. Our members are overwhelmingly in favour of a return to stable and functioning political conditions as soon as possible, and they are clear that an absent Executive is actively hurting trading conditions and investor confidence.”
Reflecting on his year as President, Aidan re-stated the Chamber’s commitment to members as well as providing the local business community with the strongest possible voice in the form of constructive engagement with politicians of all levels, colleagues at the Letterkenny Chamber, and the business leaders who play their part in making the region what it is – the best place to live, work, invest and do business.
“We’ve welcomed new members from across the North West and the rest of the country, large and small, and across every economic sector. Our members are the lifeblood of the Chamber and everything we do is guided by them, for
Anna Doherty, Chamber CEO; Aidan O’Kane, Chamber President; Hannah Shields, Guest Speaker; and Mark Simpson, host
Guest Speaker, Hannah Shields and host, Mark Simpson in fireside chat
Anna Doherty, Chamber CEO; Aidan O’Kane, Chamber President; and Head of the Civil Service NI, Jayne Brady
Aidan O’Kane, Chamber President Toni Forrester, Letterkenny Chamber CEO; Aidan O’Kane, Chamber President; Kristine Reynolds, Letterkenny Chamber President; and Anna Doherty, Chamber CEO
Richard Moore, Children In Crossfire; Aidan O’Kane, Chamber President; and Selina Horshi, Chamber Vice-President
John Healy, Managing Director at Allstate NI, main sponsors of the dinner The Londonderry Chamber team – Anna Doherty; Carolann Doherty; Elisha Kealey; and Wendy McDermott
their benefit, and for the benefit of the wider economy.”
Looking to the future, Aidan remarked that the time is now for delivery on key projects to unlock the North West’s untapped economic growth, including the A5, expansion of Magee, and investment in our emerging industries. “Ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement next year, now is the time to reclaim the spirit of hope and of potential, and to deliver for Northern Ireland once more. Peace has been delivered – prosperity must now follow”, concluded Aidan.
Sponsored by Allstate NI, the President’s Annual Dinner was hosted by BBC Broadcaster Mark Simpson and featured a ‘fireside chat’ with extreme adventurer, Hannah Shields, originally from Kilrea, who was the first Irishwoman to summit Mount Everest.
City of Derry Airport natural choice for business and leisure travel
In a post-pandemic world where hybrid working has become the norm, we have seen an increasing demand for passengers wanting to fly from their local airport. City of Derry Airport, thanks to our growing network and convenience, is perfect for commuters relocating to the North West region. So, when travelling for work becomes a necessity, why not make it as convenient as possible? City of Derry Airport ensures that your time is spent wisely by avoiding those long security queues and utilising any time spared by catching up on emails or simply enjoying a relaxing coffee before jetting off to busy meetings.
City of Derry Airport has a range of routes with our airline partners, Loganair and Ryanair, to help you get to where you need to go with regular routes to London, Liverpool, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Glasgow.
Need a break? We have you covered with that also. City of Derry Airport, in collaboration with Travel Solutions, have some incredible city break offers available this autumn and winter. As well as amazing London theatre breaks available with tickets to all kinds of shows, there are also breaks to enjoy some festive activities with Christmas markets in Edinburgh and Liverpool. Or even take in the magic at the Harry Potter Studios in London. With such an array of activities, you will definitely find the perfect city break from City of Derry Airport this season.
Before jetting off for business or leisure, why not take off in style with our Amelia Earhart Lounge? The lounge is a quiet space for you to relax before tackling that big business meeting or to enjoy a few glasses of bubbly before enjoying a well-deserved weekend away. It is a space for you to sit back and take in views of the island’s beautiful countryside whilst doing some plane spotting.
From only £15 per person, the
Amelia Earhart Lounge offers two alcoholic drinks plus snacks with our incredible staff always on hand to assist and ensure your journey has the best start. At City of Derry Airport, there is also abundant parking to ensure you always get the best parking rates. All parking is within a two-minute walk to the entrance of the airport and all at incredibly reasonable prices - the cheapest car parking on the island of Ireland!
And did we forget to mention that City of Derry Airport was voted No.1 Airport in Northern Ireland! So why not make the most of your local airport and enjoy a more relaxed travel experience.
For more information visit www.cityofderryairport.com or contact
info@cityofderryairport.com
JMK Solicitors expand into North West with opening of Derry~Londonderry office
JMK Solicitors, Northern Ireland’s number one personal injury claims specialists, have opened the doors of their new office in Derry~Londonderry as part of their expansion plans across the province. The firm’s new office is located on the Culmore Road, a prime location close to the city centre.
Established in 2003, and with offices also located in Belfast and Newry, the team has successfully helped tens of thousands of people recover compensation after an accident or injury. Since 2015, JMK Solicitors have been the number one personal injury solicitors practice in Northern Ireland, successfully assisting more injured people than any other solicitor firm. Maurece Hutchinson, Managing Director of JMK Solicitors commented, “We are delighted to announce our expansion to the North West with the opening of our Derry~Londonderry office. We are very proud to invest in the city, with our new office initially creating three new jobs. “As a specialist law firm operating solely in personal injury claims and road traffic accidents, we pride ourselves in putting our clients first and we strive to do our absolute best for each client, which is reflected by the fact that 99% of our clients would recommend us. Our team understand the stress, upset, and inconvenience an accident can cause, and work tirelessly to ensure our clients achieve the best possible outcome.
“We have recently been awarded the Lexcel Quality Mark for the fifth year in a row which is a reassurance for our North West clients that they are dealing with a reputable firm that works above the recognised standards of excellence in legal practice and client care. We are looking forward to providing a personal service to our clients in the North West.”
Aidan O’Kane, President of the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce commented, “On behalf of the Londonderry Chamber, I extend a warm Derry welcome to JMK Solicitors as they open their new location on the Culmore Road. We are delighted to see their investment in the city and wish them many successful years of business.”
For more information about JMK Solicitors please visit www.jmksolicitors.com or call the Derry~Londonderry branch on
028 7122 1016
1-3BAYROAD,CULMOREROAD DERRY~LONDONDERRY,BT487SH 02871221016
NEWDERRY~LONDONDERRYOFFICE
Dupont and FAST Technologies create next generation robot
A collaboration between two Derry~Londonderry companies, DuPont and FAST Technologies, has resulted in the creation of a new, next generation robot with advanced vision and software technology. The new autonomous mobile robot (AMR) will enable DuPont to take great strides to work safer and faster in the production of Kevlar®.
Paul Kirkpatrick, DuPont Maydown, said, “Following two years of intense research and collaborative innovation with FAST Technologies, it is extremely gratifying to see the new AMR up and running and doing exactly what we hoped it would.
“The AMR is used in the production of Kevlar® and allows the safe unloading of finished bobbins, the emptying of tubes automatically, and the movement of bobbins to defined locations. The AMR will be operating in an extremely challenging work environment alongside operating personnel, so it has a complex communication structure that will keep it running at capacity and safely.”
FAST Technologies is an advanced manufacturing company, specialising in
automation, robotics and software solutions for companies globally.
Colin Spence, Director at FAST Technologies, said, “The system we have developed in collaboration with DuPont is unlike any robot available to industrial manufacturers today. More than just an AMR this is automated and intelligent, fully mobile with no need for tracks, and an onboard collaborative robot arm that can manipulate up to 16kg loads.
“It has an integrated efficient vision system that offers depth perception for varying heights or stacked objects to account for dynamic working environments. The partnership with DuPont has brought together years of combined skills and knowledge to develop an advanced manufacturing solution that enables safer, more productive, and efficient workspaces.” Paul concluded,
We have further developmental work to conduct with our local partners and Ulster University in order to deliver even more automated solutions and continue to keep personnel safe.”
In 1957, DuPont UK Ltd announced plans to build a neoprene plant on a former naval airfield at Maydown, seven miles from Derry~Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Construction started that same year. Since it began operations, in addition to neoprene, Maydown manufactured Orlon® (from 1968) Lycra® (from 1969) and Hypalon®. These products have subsequently ceased production or, in the case of Lycra®, transferred ownership. DuPont now produces Kevlar®.
Architects, engineers, and builders incorporate cables of Kevlar® into light suspension bridges because Kevlar® is stronger and lighter than steel on an equal-weight basis and does not corrode. Cables made of Kevlar® help enable elevators to use smaller pulleys than they would have to use for steel cables, and subsequently require less energy and space to operate. In seawater, ropes with Kevlar® are up to 95% lighter than steel ropes of comparable strength. Salvage ropes, ice safety barriers, towed and stationary arrays, umbilical hoses, fibre optic cables, escape chutes, orbital straps, and tow ropes have incorporated Kevlar® to help increase strength and reduce weight. Lightweight rope constructions based on Kevlar® fibre help enable rescue services to handle and deploy equipment far more easily — often saving valuable seconds.
Kevlar® fibre has proven that it is strong enough to survive the extreme forces and temperature fluctuations of space travel. When the Mars Pathfinder landed on the surface of Mars, ropes made of Kevlar® helped secure the inflated landing cushions (which were themselves reinforced with Kevlar® fibre) that allowed it to complete its 40-million-mile journey fully intact and ready to explore the planet. Kevlar® is also used in the space shuttle to help protect against impacts from orbital debris.
Factory Automation & Systems Technologies (FAST) are headquartered in Northern Ireland with more than 25 years’ experience in industrial automation. FAST provides ‘best-inclass’ advanced manufacturing and automation solutions, with a proven track record in the application of automation across all sectors and industries. The company develops bespoke technical solutions for a global client base, focusing on state-of-the-art automation technologies that are developed and can be deployed into manufacturing factories with immediate effect. FAST and their industrial partners boast a comprehensive automation portfolio comprising of individual robots and robotic cells for automated production steps, all the way to large-scale customized systems.
As a driver of innovation in the automation industry, FAST supplies the key technologies and solutions for “Industry 4.0” and the factory of the future from turnkey automated production lines to industrial robots, sensitive robots for human-robot collaboration, and mobile platforms with autonomous navigation. “We help our customers automate, so they can focus on their core business”, Colin concludes.
North West financial planners set for growth
Benchmark, part of the Schroders group, has invested in the North West with the purchase of local Chartered Financial Planning firm, Waterhouse Financial Planning
The Waterhouse team will remain at the firm, providing continuity for clients, and to support continued significant growth opportunities among their professional connections and client families with all aspects of financial planning. Whilst most larger advice firms in Northern Ireland are based in Belfast, Waterhouse, established in 2010, have ambitions to be the leading Chartered Financial Planners in the North West region and have already moved into expanded premises in Bishop Street to accommodate their growing business.
Former Managing Directors, Tom Leonard, will focus on further acquisitions and develop the business across the North West and all of Northern Ireland, while Sinead Meenan, now Wealth Planning Director, will lead the financial planning practice.
Speaking after the purchase, Tom said “We’ve worked with Benchmark since 2018, they’ve supported us with technology, compliance services, and also helped us move to our new offices so this is a natural evolution of our partnership. “Benchmark and Schroders have a reputation for quality and long-term relationships. We believe that they are unrivalled in their approach, and their vision and values align very closely with ours and this allows us to continue to deliver great client outcomes without compromise.”
Sinead added “It’s exciting to move our business forward with Benchmark. We’re delighted to see the commitment to Derry and are looking forward to further developing in the region and more widely across Northern Ireland.”
Sinead Meenan Tom Leonard
As part of the deal, Waterhouse will change its company name to Benchmark Financial Planning during November, but otherwise there will be no changes for clients in how their plans are managed.
Sinead continued “Stability, security, and long-term client outcomes are very important to us. Partnering with a firm like Benchmark, with secure parentage, enables us to continue to deliver this” “Being part of a bigger group also brings the same advantages to our staff. Benchmark have a market-leading Academy for developing the next
generation of financial planners, so with their support we’ll be able to train and grow our own team to work with our expanding client base, and also create employment opportunities locally.”
Tom believes that there are significant opportunities to develop the business in Derry, the North West, and throughout Northern Ireland by bringing other planners with existing businesses into the firm to take advantage of the digital and inperson advice services that Benchmark offer.
“Whilst we find that for most of our mature High-NetWorth clients and business owners prefer an in-person approach, for younger clients, a technology-enabled advice process is an alternative solution”, said Tom. “We service all clients with access to their own personal Wealth Platform which provides a consolidated view of their wealth and gives instant access to their information, securely, at any time, on any device. As a Chartered Financial Planning practice, we meet the highest level of professional standards that go beyond just technical competence to ensure that clients and their goals are at the centre of everything we do.”
“By choosing a
Chartered firm, clients can be sure they are working with an
Front Row – Lisa Rutherford, Nadine Arthur, Sinead Meenan, Deirdre Moore Back Row – Catherine Wilson, Tom Leonard, Peter O’Sullivan, Conor McCrory, Kevin McCallion and Hannah Doherty.
adviser or firm who displays eminence in the field, and who maintains excellence in qualifications, ethics, business practices, and professional development”, added Sinead. My role going forward will be to expand our footprint locally and to develop the wider North West region looking for other businesses that share these same values”, continued Tom. “We are all really excited about the future for Benchmark Financial Planning in Derry, the North West, and wider Northern Ireland to deliver financial planning for all clients and the business community. “As a company we offer a range of services to both corporate and private clients. This covers, investment, tax and pension planning, protecting income, assets and their businesses. This is combined with succession and estate planning for higher net worth individuals.”
For more information, visit benchmarkfp.com or get in touch at
02871878770
Allstate NI welcome their Executive Vice President to Derry
Allstate Northern Ireland were delighted to welcome their Executive Vice President, Suren Gupta, to their Catalyst offices in Derry~Londonderry in July. This is the first time Suren had been able to travel to Northern Ireland since 2019 due to the pandemic. During his time in the North West offices, Suren had the chance to engage with the local senior leadership team to discuss future plans and developments.
During his visit, Suren hosted a townhall for all employees alongside John Healy. This allowed employees to hear about the future of Allstate, the importance of Allstate NI, and for them to ask questions. The visit was a fantastic chance for employees to showcase the strategic work that they deliver from the North West, and the impact it has on the day-to-day running of the Allstate business.
The company celebrated 20 years of business in the North West last year; beginning operations with just 20 staff, 12 of which are still employed by the company today. The company now boasts over 2300 employees in total, with over 900 of them based in the North West area. John Healy, Managing Director for Allstate NI, commented on the anniversary, “Our initial setup in Derry was about accessing the deep talent pool in the region. What we have managed to achieve in the past 20 years is a testament to the resilience, ingenuity, and innovation of our community in the North West.”
Now, the team has a footprint in cutting edge skills including Machine Learning, Cyber Security, Software Engineering, AI, and Data Science.
One of the company’s most recent accolades was picking up the coveted Digital DNA Workplace of the Year award in May this year. The company faced stiff competition from other tech giants such as PwC and Rapid7. The Workplace of the Year award recognises a company that has instilled an excellent workplace culture, where employees are at the core of everything they do. Allstate NI were also the recipients of the award back in 2020 for all the support they provided to employees throughout the pandemic, and receiving this award again is testament to their continued commitment to employee wellbeing into 2022 and beyond.
Lexi the Therapy Dog visited the Allstate offices during the summer Suren Gupta, Allstate Executive Vice President, and John Healy, Allstate NI Vice President and Managing Director
The company recently announced their hybrid working policy for all employees and made flexible hours available to everyone, allowing staff to work remotely or in the office at any time to find a balance that suits their work and personal life.
With 95% of staff voicing a desire for more flexibility, most have opted not to take on a set schedule, instead working with their line manager to find a pattern that suits their lifestyle and the needs of the business.
To suit the needs of people who enjoy coming into the office, the company have also been working alongside Assistance Dogs NI, to bring therapy dogs into their offices on a regular basis to help relax employee’s anxiety and improve socialising in the offices at a time where employees may feel nervous about returning to a shared working space.
McCay Solicitors: The North West’s Commercial Law Firm complete, Building 104 is full to capacity, while the guys at The Amp have created a perfect environment for start-ups. “We still export some of our brightest talents which is why many businesses like us are putting together graduate schemes to keep these people here or bring them back to the North West to train and develop. This can only benefit the region as a whole. We have come out of the pandemic on a much stronger footing than we went in and we have exciting plans over the next three years to grow our team, enhance our offering, and add new locations”, concluded Gareth. Further information on the specialist areas covered by McCay Solicitors can be found on their website www.mccaysolicitors.co.uk or to get in touch with a member of the team, call 02871371705.
Now approaching their 8th year in business, McCay Solicitors has grown from a niche employment law practice to become the North West’s leading commercial law firm. The firm has an impressive portfolio of clients right across the region which they service from their offices in the city’s own Ebrington Square, and from sub-offices in Strabane and Omagh.
The firm recently advised O’Neills Sports on their new store in Omagh and have just completed a £2.8m loan on behalf of an alternative lender in the agri sector. This highlights the adaptability of the firm and underscores their reputation as big enough to deliver but small enough to care. The services offered by the Commercial Team at McCay Solicitors include: • Shareholder Agreements • Share Purchase/Business Purchase Agreements • Service Agreements & Commercial Contracts. • Employment Law. • Commercial Leases and Sale/ Acquisitions. • Commercial Disputes.
Next year will see McCay embark on their first Graduate Recruitment Scheme aimed at securing the very best legal talent in the North West. The firm’s Managing Director, Gareth McCay commented, “The North West is slowly beginning to realise its potential and a real confidence in the skills and enterprise that we have here is beginning to develop. This is very evident in Ebrington where Building 1 is almost
THE NORTH WEST’S COMMERCIAL LAW FIRM
104 Hill Avenue Ebrington Square
office@mccaysolicitors.co.uk
In the wake of Apple’s recent announcement regarding a security flaw in its software, LoughTec Chief Executive Seán McDermott gives us his top tips on keeping safe from online hackers and cybercriminals.
As a business owner, you should be aware of the dangers of cyberattacks. These attacks can come from anywhere in the world and have devastating consequences. Ten years ago, any IT Manager had 45 days to apply software patches, these are fixes for vulnerabilities the threat actors find in software daily.
Today it is more like a 2-3 hour window to apply the fixes. Threat actors use those vulnerabilities to get access to your network. They can then spend considerable time carrying out reconnaissance on your network, until they figure out how they can hurt you most.
LoughTec Chief Executive Seán McDermott
That hurt could be in the form of encrypting your data and demanding a ransom, or a Business Email Compromise (BEC) attack where they convince someone in your accounts department to send a payment to a new bank account. The challenge we all face is that these guys work around the clock – 90% of the attacks we see happen after 5.00 pm when all our guards are down. My advice is you should not take the attitude that it won’t be you. The reality is it’s a matter of time before you are hacked or ransomed and once it happens, it can and will happen again.
The threat of cybercrime is out there. There is nothing you can do about the danger, but you can reduce the risk.
You can take steps to reduce the risk and decrease the attack surface for the offenders. It’s a bit like putting an alarm and CCTV system into your home. It won’t stop a burglar, but the CCTV and alarm make you a much less attractive prospect to cybercriminals.
Here are some simple tips to help protect your business from cyber threats:
• Keep your software up to date. Patches released by companies like Apple build defences against newfound weaknesses and backdoors in their software.
• Use strong passwords and don’t reuse them. Combine a few random words, replace a few letters with a number, use characters like the ‘@’ sign and an occasional capital letter. • Be careful what you click on and ask yourself, why am I clicking on this link?
• Don’t open attachments from people you don’t know. Ask yourself why this email with an attachment or a strange URL arrived in your mailbox.
• Use a secure remote access solution for work.
• Install security software. Anything that is free is virtually useless.
• Back up your data regularly and keep it in a secure off-site location.
• Be aware of social engineering attacks.
• Think before you post online. Don’t give the fraudsters the information they need to convince you that they are real.
• Protect your mobile devices. Apply updates and patches as they become available.
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Store & Go offering bespoke storage solutions
Store & Go is a state-of-the-art selfstorage facility located in Springtown Industrial Estate, Derry offering smart, secure and cost-effective self-storage solutions.
With over 300 units ranging in size from 10-200sqft across two floors, the facility accommodates for all needs, whether business or personal.
Store & Go offers a one of a kind, forward thinking Smart Entry system allowing customers to access their unit securely and direct from their smart phone. Smart Entry allows for access to belongings 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. And, you can store with Store & Go at any stage of your development journey, whether moving house, renovating, downsizing, extending or business development for start-ups. If you are curious and want to quickly find out more about Store & Go’s storage units, you can use their interactive 3D viewing option via their website. From this, you can understand and visualise size and depth of units online or call down to the Store & Go facility for a tour of the premises, with no obligation to commit.
Store & Go also provide temperature controlled, carpeted units to ensure perfect conditions for belongings with a triple alarm system and CCTV throughout to guarantee security and provide you with peace of mind.
Store & Go has storage solutions tailored to all needs and items. Whether it’s housing associations, trades people, musicians, professionals in need of secure document storage, homeowners, landlords, local sports clubs, charities, estate agents and entrepreneurs as a hub for business.
For a free tour of the Store & Go facilities call in or phone 028 7127 8900. To view our storage options and to get a quote visit www.storeandgo.net
Getting festive at the Hospice
Foyle Hospice: Compassion and care is at the heart of our Christmas
Message of love being placed on the Christmas tree
Christmas is a time for coming together with family and friends, celebrating life, and remembering our loved ones.
The idea of spending Christmas in a hospice or facing treatment for a life-limiting condition is difficult and daunting for many patients and their families. However, those who have spent time at Foyle Hospice over Christmas will tell you that there is a lot to celebrate.
One of the first things many people say when they come to Foyle Hospice is, “I never imagined it would be as nice as this.” The atmosphere at Foyle Hospice is relaxed and tranquil and it is easy to see, once you’ve walked through the grounds and looked out over the beautifully landscaped gardens, why you would feel so at ease here. It is warm and welcoming, enabling patients and their families to feel at home here, especially at Christmas time. From the moment someone wakes up in Foyle Hospice on Christmas morning, we aim to make it feel like a home from home. The patient’s room is given a yuletide makeover, as is the rest of the building and grounds. We want to ensure that families can come along to spend a very special Christmas with their loved ones.
Of course, no Christmas would be complete without a traditional Christmas dinner with all of the trimmings. Families can enjoy
their Christmas Day dinner together as our Head Chef, Bill Duncan, makes sure everyone is catered for with a menu full of festive favourites.
Bill said, “On Christmas Day, we offer the patients staying with us a full Christmas morning breakfast and print a special menu for patients to choose their Christmas dinner. We have turkey, ham, and roast beef with all the trimmings, a full four course meal, and we would encourage families to come in and have their Christmas dinner with their loved ones. We set a table up in each of their rooms and make it a special day for the whole family.
“Then, in the evening time, we fill cake stands with sweet treats and sandwiches and families can come and enjoy that too. We make it homely, that’s what Christmas is about for us.”
Another part of what makes Christmas special for most of us is the lead-up to the big day and it is no different here at Foyle Hospice. Annmarie Casey, Nurse Manager at the Day Hospice, said that she is looking forward to this year with renewed hope following a difficult few Christmases through the pandemic. “This year we hope to have patients and staff celebrate like we have every other year pre-Covid, while still remaining vigilant and safe,” she said.
“Our dedicated volunteers and staff will put up the decorations, play Christmas music, and get in the festive mood. We want to make the most of the special occasions so patients and staff can create memorable moments.”
Christmas is a time of remembrance at Foyle Hospice so, every year, our Lights of Love appeal dedicates lights on the Foyle Hospice Christmas tree to our loved ones. A few weeks before Christmas, special tags are sent out to the public so that those who wish to make a donation can do so in honour or memory of their loved ones. Once you have written a personal message and the name of the person or people you are dedicating it to, the tag is placed on the beautiful Christmas tree here at Foyle Hospice.
A moving ceremony is held before Christmas and, each year, a local family share their story about how Foyle Hospice helped them through the diagnosis, illness, and death of their loved one. The family then turns on the Christmas tree lights, surrounded by others remembering special people in their lives who have died.
This year, Anthony Fitzgerald, whose wife Helena died last September, will be switching on the Christmas lights with their boys, Milo, 9, and Rogan, 6. Helena, 44, was cared for at home by the Specialist Palliative Care Team and Milo and Rogan had help from our Healing Hearts Children’s and Young Persons bereavement service. Anthony said that he was extremely grateful for the help Foyle Hospice gave his family at the most difficult time of their lives. “The specialised knowledge and support we were given as a family are a credit to the Hospice,” he said.
“As Helena’s health deteriorated, it was our wish that she remain at home. With excellent medical support, thankfully, this was possible. With a care programme in place, we were able to remain together and enjoy quality time as a family throughout her illness.
“A lot of people, when they think about hospice, think about people going in there to die, that’s the first thing that springs to people’s minds, but there’s so much more to Foyle Hospice. Even though Helena didn’t stay at the Hospice, she received specialist care at home, and I really couldn’t speak highly enough about it.”
At Foyle Hospice, we understand that Christmas can be a very difficult and challenging time for patients and their families, so we will do everything we can to help them make precious memories they will treasure always.
Did you know? • Foyle Hospice costs almost £3.5million per year to run and we rely heavily on the generosity of local people with around 65% of our funding coming from donations. Our services are all provided free of charge. • Foyle Hospice provides a counselling service to both children and adults. The services are open to the wider public, not just patients of Foyle Hospice and their families, irrespective of the cause of the person’s death. Referrals can be made in a number of ways including through your GP or through other health and social care professionals. • 60% of our patients in the Foyle Hospice Inpatient Unit receive care and symptom management support which results in them returning home feeling better mentally and physically. • Foyle Hospice provides specialist palliative care and support to patients who choose to stay at home. This service is the only one in Northern Ireland that is provided seven days a week including bank holidays. • A Day Hospice and Integrative Care Clinic also operate at Foyle Hospice. Patients can receive treatment as outpatients and meet with others going through similar experiences.
