Seaforde club’s £15k to diabetes ward

Seaforde club’s £15k to diabetes ward

10 April 2024

SEAFORDE Working Vintage Club members have raised a massive £15,000 to help children suffering from diabetes.

The money, which will go to the Paediatric Diabetes and Children’s Ward at the UIster Hospital in Dundonald, was raised through a road run and tractor raffle.

The money will go to help children like eight year-old Niamh Finlay, whose grandfather, Michael McKibben, is a member of the club.

Niamh’s grateful parents, Iona and Gerard said their daughter has been supported by the team at the Ulster Hospital since her diabetes diagnosis in March 2022.

Iona said: “The level of care to Niamh and support to ourselves is difficult to put into words really.

“In the beginning, we may have had to call a couple of times a week, day or night and were always reassured and guided by the Paediatric Diabetes Specialist Nurse (PDSN) and Maynard Ward.

“As well as support and personal care to Niamh, we have found the technology made available to us has changed Niamh’s standard of life immeasurably.

“In September 2022, Niamh was put onto a blood glucose monitor called Libre Two. Then the following June, Niamh was given an insulin pump which has again, dramatically improved how Niamh and ourselves can manage her diabetes care.”

Iona added: “We can see in a very real way, how money raised can help others like Niamh. We are so very grateful for the money raised which will help the Ulster Hospital support many other children like Niamh.” 

Niamh’s grandfather, Michael, said that each year the group pick a charity to support.

“It was suggested that we support the Children’s Diabetic Ward at the Ulster Hospital. This was something I was keen to support as my grandson and granddaughter had both been diagnosed with diabetes in the last few years. Davy’ Martin, our chairman, was also very open to idea as his son, Edward, also has diabetes.”

Michael added: “We found people were very happy to support us, and discovered over the various fundraising days that lots of people had experiences within their own family with diabetes, and were more than happy to support the cause.” 

Ulster Hospital Paediatric Diabetes Specialist Nurse Rachel Boyle said: “The Paediatric Diabetes Service is so grateful for the generous donation which will be used to benefit the Children’s Unit within the Ulster Hospital.

“A diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes is challenging for children and young people and their families on a day to day basis. The needs of families change continuously as children and young people grow and develop throughout their journey living with diabetes.”

Rachel added: “As a service, we are looking forward to the opportunity to provide resources and to facilitate vital peer support for children, young people and families to support them in their journey from diagnosis and beyond.

“The donation will not only be of great benefit to families living with diabetes, but will be used to provide a positive impact for all who experience use of hospital services within the Children’s Unit.”