Cancer Fund for Children win in the Big Heart Minibus Giveaway

Cancer Fund for Children win in the Big Heart Minibus Giveaway

27 January 2016

THE Cancer Fund for Children is celebrating winning a new minibus that will be used to transport children affected by cancer to residentials at the charity’s Narnia log cabin in Newcastle.

The charity — which provides support for children affected by cancer and their families — won the minibus from the LV= Broker Big Heart Minibus Giveaway through an online vote after being nominated by local broker CIP Insurance. 

The new bus was recently handed over to the charity by CIP Insurance and LV= Insurance representatives at the Daisy Lodge therapeutic short break facility at the foothills of the Mournes.

CIP Insurance has been supporting the local charity for two years and has raised money for it by hosting a variety of fundraising events.

The mini-bus will be used to bring children and young people affected by cancer to residentials at the charity’s log cabin and to a range of other locations for activities.

Cancer Fund for Children’s chief executive, Gillian Creevy, said the charity is “overjoyed” to have won the new minibus.

“We are extremely grateful to CIP Insurance for nominating us. Unbelievably, it is 10 years since we opened the doors to our magical 24-berth Narnia facility. In the past 10 years, Cancer Fund for Children has hosted over 237 residentials there. It’s a very special place; a world away from hospitals and treatment, anxiety and uncertainty.  A world away from cancer,” she continued.

“Led by our team of specialists, children have the opportunity to experience some independent living, make new friends, learn new skills – all designed to help them cope with their illness and so they can simply enjoy being a child again.”

Gillian said the new minibus will allow the charity us to transport young people from all across the Province and to continue its work, adding: “It is really wonderful tenth anniversary present.”

Mike Crane, managing director of LV= Broker said the Cancer Fund for Children provides an “extremely valuable service” to children and young people affected by cancer.

He added: “It’s great to know our donation of an LV= minibus will make such a difference. Putting people at the heart of what we do is key to LV=’s success and it’s great that we’ve been able to work with our broker partners CIP Insurance to identify such a deserving cause.”    

Paul Williamson, managing director of CIP Insurance Brokers, said the company was delighted to be given the opportunity to nominate Cancer Fund for Children in the LV= Broker Big Heart Minibus Giveaway. 

He added: This is a competition open to all UK insurance brokers and it is a huge achievement that a Northern Ireland charity received the most votes to win this minibus. CIP Insurance is very proud of its partnership with Cancer Fund for Children and would like to thank all our colleagues and friends in the Insurance industry who gave their vote to this very worthwhile local children’s charity.”