Pig race raises £800 for childrens’ heart charity

Lynn Cowan from Childrens Heartbeat Trust accepting a cheque of £800 from Larne Rugby Football Club President Phil McMurtry and James McCluggage. INLT 50-650-CON

The well-attended family fun event in Glynn was organised in aid of the Children’s Heartbeat Trust.

The charity works closely with Clark Clinic, the regional paediatric cardiac ward at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, to help fund medical equipment and initiatives and ensure youngsters with heart disease in Northern Ireland receive the best care and treatment possible.

Past Larne Rugby Club captain, James McCluggage told the Times: “The event was well-attended, everyone a fun time and most importantly, we managed to raise £800 for this very worthy cause.”

Lynn Cowan from the charity said: “We are extremely grateful to James McCluggage and all the members of Larne Rugby Club for their generous fundraising, which will help us to continue to provide support services for families in Northern Ireland.’’

Heart disease is the most common birth defect with over 200 babies born each year in Northern Ireland with the condition.

Many of these children will require ongoing cardiac care and/or open heart surgery.

The charity also have family support groups across the province.

Each of these groups are parent-led and give families the chance to get together in a social, relaxed environment where they can meet with other local families facing similar challenges.

The Children’s Heartbeat Trust relies solely on public donations to fund their services and the charity is extremely grateful to local people, organisations and businesses for support to their services.