Ballynahinch couple hand over cheque for charities

Ballynahinch couple hand over cheque for charities

5 December 2018

A BALLYNAHINCH couple have together raised over £1,000 for two Ulster kidney charities.

Stephen Nicholl underwent a kidney transplant in May and since then he and his wife, Christine, have devoted his recovery to doing what they can to help other people who are waiting for a new kidney.

The duo raised £1,162 at a renal horse ride and dog walk, which was held recently at Castle Ward, near Strangford.

The event drew riders and walkers from across the province to the Castle Ward, which is the setting for the epic Game of Thrones TV series.

Delighted with their success, Stephen and Christine said: “We would like to thank everyone who donated to us online and also came along on the day.  

“We are completely bowled over by the love and support of so many people who rallied to our call to support a cause which gives back to kidney patients across Northern Ireland.

“We would also like to thanks Anita Lambe, vice-chair of the British Horse Society NI Region for coming along on the day to give her support to our cause.” 

Praising Stephen and Christine, Jo-Anne Dobson, Northern Ireland Ambassador for Kidney Care UK, said: “Stephen received a kidney at the Belfast City Hospital in May and just a few short months later was working to help support his fellow kidney patients and promote the lifesaving organ donation message.  

“Now many months on from his transplant Stephen looks so well thanks to the power of organ donation. To work so hard to organise this event and support fellow kidney patients is magnificent. 

“All their hard work and attention to detail certainly paid off and it was wonderful to be with them on the day to help out and see this couples infectious enthusiasm in action.

“On behalf of Kidney Care UK I thank them for their hard work and efforts to rally so many people to support a cause which touches the lives of so many.  

Thanking Stephen and Christine on behalf of Northern Ireland Kidney Patients Association, William Johnston said: “It was lovely to get the chance to join with Stephen and Christine in the beautiful setting of Castle Ward and to see their enthusiasm for supporting our cause and delivering and Organ Donation message of hope. 

“I want to say a special word of thanks to them for really pulling out the stops to put together an amazing event to help local kidney patients and their families.”