Castlerock bowlers support Breathe Easy Causeway

At a special ceremony in the Peter Thompson Community Hall, Castlerock Bowling Club President, Glen Kerr, presented to Breathe Easy representatives £760 – the money raised at the club’s annual barbecue.

It was a joint effort by the Men’s and Ladies sections. And it was a follow-up to the recent donation of over £3,000 raised by local businessman Trevor Culbertson, following a sponsored walk along Benone Beach and culminating in a barbecue at Bertha’s Bar.

Mr Kerr said: “The tremendous work of the British Lung Foundation often goes unheralded. We were delighted to nominate Breathe Easy Causeway as our chosen charity this year.”

Representing Breathe Easy at the presentation were chairperson Mrs Marie Hegarty, and vice-chairman, Sam Kelly.

Mrs Hegarty said: “The Castlerock Bowling Club donation is greatly appreciated and will be used wisely in support of respiratory projects, mostly throughout NI.”

Mr Kelly added: “It is good the Bowling Club supports annually local charities and we are delighted that Breathe Easy was chosen this year.”

At the opening Breathe Easy meeting of the new season, held at Coleraine Rugby Club, Mrs Nessie Blair, BLF Northern Ireland representative, told members of the steady progress being made in establishing new groups throughout the Province.

Emphasising that the British Lung Foundation was vigorously active in leading the fight against lung disease, Mrs Blair said: “We are the ‘experts’ fighting to beat lung disease through prevention, support and research.

“One person in five in the United Kingdom is affected by Lung Disease. Millions more are at risk. We are here for every one of them, whatever their condition.

Breathe Easy Causeway meets on the first Thursday of each month from September until June and Mrs Blair appealed for new members to help in the continuing battle to improve lung health.

At the September meeting guest speaker, Joanne Byrne, Specialist Nurse in Organ Donation based at the Antrim Area hospital, appealed for new organ donors.

She said: “The UK has a very low record in organ donation – 12.8% of the population-compared with the rest of Europe, more organ donors are required urgently”