The Minister wanted to see at first hand the work being provided by the community-based charity. Cancer Lifeline provides a range of services to cancer sufferers and their families across the local area. These include counselling, welfare advice, alternative therapies, information sessions, education classes and support groups.
Margaret Ritchie said: “I very much welcome the opportunity to meet the staff at Cancer Lifeline. The charity is an excellent example of a community-based response to the needs of local people across North Belfast. The services they deliver are highly valued by the cancer sufferers and their families. I have heard at first hand from a number of them about the great support they have received through the work of Cancer Lifeline.
“My Department has a long-standing relationship with the charity going back 10 years. I am pleased that my Department has recently been able to provide further Neighbourhood Renewal funding of £52,000 to help sustain Cancer Lifeline services through to March 2011.
“I also congratulate the group on their ongoing campaign to raise funds towards a building fund that will help them secure a long-term future in their Alliance Avenue premises.”
The Department’s funding will cover the costs of rent and a portion of the cost of a part-time administrator. It will also cover some of the organisation’s core running costs.
Speaking after the visit, Bernie Montgomery, Chairperson of Cancer Lifeline said: “We are delighted that the Minister has taken the time to come and see the vital work that Cancer Lifeline is delivering to people affected by a cancer diagnosis in North Belfast. This gave us an ideal opportunity to engage with the Minister to help ensure the future sustainability of this effective model of Neighbourhood Renewal and effective cross sectoral working.”
Notes to Editors:
- To date, the Department for Social Development’s Belfast Regeneration Office has awarded Cancer Lifeline a total of £204,407.80 under the Neighbourhood Renewal Funding programme for salaries and running costs. Recurrent costs of £50,000 per year are provided to the organisation by the former Eastern Health and Social Services Board with additional funding being provided by the Lottery.
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