Coffee morning raises more '¨than £1,300 for five charities

A group of FIT Banbridge runners, who are taking on the Great North Run in Newcastle Upon Tyne next month, raised £1,300 for cancer charities at a weekend coffee morning.

The event was hailed a great success, raising funds and awareness for charities including Pancreatic Cancer, Sarcoma, Macmillan Cancer, Cancer Research UK and the Southern Area Hospice.

Local MLAs Jo-Anne Dobson and Carla Lockhart, as well as Deputy Lord Mayor Paul Greenfield, paid a visit to the coffee morning and praised the group for its efforts in raising awareness, as well as money, for the charities.

“It was great to see so many people coming along on Saturday morning to support their coffee morning and I commend the group for thinking of others and at the same time keeping fit and healthy themselves,” said Mrs Dobson.

“There can be few words that strike fear into our hearts than cancer.

“That’s why it’s so important for everyone to support the team in raising funds to help the charities who work hard every single day to fight and beat cancer.

“Their coffee morning raised a magnificent £1,300, but if you missed it I would encourage you to drop in to FIT Banbridge to show your support.”

Upper Bann MLA Carla Lockhart also praised the team for their charitable efforts.

“This week I had the privilege of seeing round the Cancer Research laboratory and this event reiterates what an effect the disease has on lives in Upper Bann and Northern Ireland,” she said.

“The staff from FIT should be very proud of what they have achieved to date and I wish them well during the Great North Run in September.

“I hope a lot more money is raised both before and during the event.

“We were well cared for with plenty of good things to eat and it shows the level of preparation that goes into organising events like this. To everyone who was involved in this I want to say thank you and well done.”

Deputy Lord Mayor Paul Greenfield also attended the event.

Speaking about it the Banbridge Councillor said: “This is a very worthwhile cause and a great amount was raised during the morning. The donations are still open so you can donate at any time.

“Well done to the staff for not only organising the morning but also those who are taking part in the run.”

To donate to the fundraising drive FIT Banbridge is located above Supervalu at 26 Newry Street, Banbridge BT32 3HB and can be contacted on 07738 119373.