| Felim Lally, Senior Driver in the Newry area, said SELB Transport staff became involved in the fundraising four years ago through helping out their colleague John.
“This year we had 30 SELB drivers involved and we have now become a recognisable group collecting at the Quays Shopping Centre in Newry,” said Felim.
“Transport Section staff came from various areas of the Board including Banbridge, Castlewellan and Kilkeel, as well as Newry, to provide a two hour collecting stint each during the week up to Christmas Eve.
“We had a tremendous response to our collection with people showing great generosity. The drivers enjoyed the fundraising. They were pleased to be able to help the Hospice, are planning to collect again next Christmas and hope that more of their colleagues will join the fundraising effort.”
SELB chief executive Helen McClenaghan paid tribute to the Transport staff when she met many of them at the presentation of the cheque for the Hospice in Newry Teachers’ Centre.
Mrs McClenaghan said: “I congratulate all the Transport Section staff who volunteered to give up their time to collect money for the Southern Area Hospice. It is heartening to see so many colleagues supporting this charity venture.”
Dr Gerald Donaldson, former Medical Officer for Southern Area Hospice Services, said: “Southern Area Hospice Services provides specialist care services, free of charge, to people affected by cancer and other terminal illnesses, throughout the Southern Health Board area.
“Our costs each year are in the region of £2million and we rely almost entirely on the generosity of the local community to meet these costs. We are very grateful to everyone involved in the thirteenth John Dalzell Sit Out, for generously donating their time, especially at such a busy time of year, and for raising the fantastic sum of £89,400 towards much needed funds for the hospice.
“We truly appreciate the great support we get from John’s colleagues in the SELB and welcome their continued support for the fourteenth Sit Out! Thank you to everyone involved.”
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