Dad raises cash in memory of Danielle

KINALLEN man Stephen Houston continues to wheel out charity challenges as he raises funds in memory of his daughter, who died in a road accident almost three years ago.

Danielle Houston. from Skeagh Road, died on July 1, 2009 - shortly after her 19th birthday - when her car left the road close to the Katesbridge Road/Enagh Road junction,

Since then family and friends of the tragic teen have helped keep her memory alive by raising many thousands of pounds for various charities, among them the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice.

Danielle’s dad Stephen, who in 2010 led colleagues in a sponsored cycle in aid of the hospice, recently got back in the saddle to add to the earlier total, and last month he presented the charity with a second cheque.

In the most recent of his sponsored cycle rides, Stephen, and nine of his colleagues from public services provider Amey, took to a 10k course around Craigavon Lakes.

“I want to keep raising money for Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice,” said Stephen, “because I want something good to come from losing my daughter.

“The work the hospice does is tremendous; they care for over 3,000 adults, children and young people every year with life-limiting and life threatening conditions.”

As well as supporting the event by giving the team time off, Amey once again match-funded every pound the cyclists raised, so that to date Stephen has handed over more than £4,000.

Stephen is one of the team based at Amey’s Lurgan depot, where the company is delivering a 30-year contract to manage and maintain 125km of road network - including the M1, A1 and A4 - on behalf of Roads Service Northern Ireland.

Amey account manager Greg Price, said, “It’s great to see the team work together to raise money for such a worthy cause and to support Stephen to raise money for his chosen charity.”

Receiving the cheque on behalf of NI Children’s Hospice, corporate fundraiser Ellen Hillen, said, “It is a great privilege to come along today and receive such a generous donation and meet Stephen and the staff at Amey.

“NI Children’s Hospice relies on the generosity and commitment of people like Stephen and the business sector to help us raise over £2.5 million every year. We are delighted that Amey see the value in supporting their staff in social responsibility projects.”