Hospice fundraising group calls it a day

A local group who launched a campaign to help raise funds for the Southern Area Hospice has taken the difficult decision to wind up.
By The Newsroom
Published 4th Jul 2013, 10:00 BST
Members past and present from the Blue Dove Hospice Support Group who met a Banbridge Golf Club to remember much missed member Dympna Fitzpatrick and to mark the end of the work of the group. Included are Triona Leonard, Liz Armstrong, chair, Tracey Muldoon, Southern Area Hospice,Seana Watts, front, Ann Fitzpatrick, Gene Fitzpatrick, Blue Noddings and Sally Rogan. INBL2613-BLUEDOVEMembers past and present from the Blue Dove Hospice Support Group who met a Banbridge Golf Club to remember much missed member Dympna Fitzpatrick and to mark the end of the work of the group. Included are Triona Leonard, Liz Armstrong, chair, Tracey Muldoon, Southern Area Hospice,Seana Watts, front, Ann Fitzpatrick, Gene Fitzpatrick, Blue Noddings and Sally Rogan. INBL2613-BLUEDOVE
Members past and present from the Blue Dove Hospice Support Group who met a Banbridge Golf Club to remember much missed member Dympna Fitzpatrick and to mark the end of the work of the group. Included are Triona Leonard, Liz Armstrong, chair, Tracey Muldoon, Southern Area Hospice,Seana Watts, front, Ann Fitzpatrick, Gene Fitzpatrick, Blue Noddings and Sally Rogan. INBL2613-BLUEDOVE

Dwindling numbers and the loss of member and friend Dympna Fitzpatrick were behind the decision to dissolve the Blue Dove Support Group.

Member Liz Armstrong revealed; “Dympna, who passed away in March, was a true lady who always thought of others, and is greatly missed.”

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The group began their fundraising back in 1996, and adapted the name “Blue Dove” as its title. The name was chosen on a two-fold basis; “Blue” in recognition of the Group’s founder member and chairperson, Mrs Blue Noddings, and “Dove” to represent peace, release, freedom and timelessness of the group.

Over the past 17 years the group and its members have been regularly involved in various fundraising events including sponsored walks, fashion shows, golf tournaments, street collections, church collections as well as continuous work with various community groups and businesses throughout the Banbridge district.

The group has made a huge impact to the Hospice Services in the Banbridge area and has raised in excess of £400,000.

Without their continued support the Hospice would not have been able to reach their fundraising targets over the years.

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Liz said the decision to disband the group was made with great reluctance at the recent annual general meeting.

However Liz, Triona Leonard and Seana Watts will still carry on as volunteers for the Hospice helping out with various fundraising activities.

Tracey Muldoon, Regional Marketing Officer for the hospice, thanked the members of the Blue Dove Support Group:

“I would like to pay tribute to the group’s perseverance, their stamina and their indefatigable fundraising and to acknowledge their valuable time so generously given over the years.

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“We are so grateful to Blue Dove for the fantastic work they have done over the years while raising the profile of our charity in the Banbridge area.

“On behalf of everyone at the Hospice and the people of Banbridge I would like to thank the members for their many years of selfless dedication and continued support.”

Related topics:Banbridge