Tea party is a Blooming Great success

And what a blooming success it was! Held in Whyte’s Wonderful Woodland Estate and Gate Lodge, Loughbrickland there really was something for everyone.

This special launch tea party included a walk in the woods and treasure hunt, along with a plant stall and of course that essential cup of tea, while Iveagh Movie Studios’ Smart Car (looking very dashing) supplied the entertainment.

The public helped the group raise a fantastic £667.34 for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

This is a phenomenal amount for ‘BanD’. The Marie Curie Cancer Care Banbridge and Dromore Fundraising Group are truly grateful to the public for the support they received on the day.

The money raised from the tea party will allow Marie Curie nurses to provide more free care to people with terminal cancer and other illnesses in their own homes or the charity’s hospice.’

Siobhan Keegan, Chair of BanD, continued: “We had so much fun at our tea party - it’s a wonderful way to get together with friends, family, colleagues and meet new people, whilst raising vital funds at the same time.

“The money we raised, will allow Marie Curie Nurses to provide more free care to people with a terminal illnesses in our local community. Not only that, but we hope others will now take the plunge, stick the kettle on and hold their own Blooming Great Tea Party, big or small!”

She added the group couldn’t have done it without the support they received from the local community and they would especially like to thank the following: Dr Jean Whyte & Whyte’s Woodland Estate, Loughbrickland; Ballyvally Archers & Frank Mulligan; McGrath’s Centra, Loughbrickland and Strathroy Dairies; Bridge Integrated Primary School Parents’ Group, Banbridge; St Francis Primary School, Loughbrickland & Marie; Iveagh Movie Studios & Smarty Car; Isabel Moorhead & Loughbrickland Historical Society; Banbridge District Council; Marie Curie Cancer Care Head Office & Staff; St Theresa’s Parish Office; Parish of Seapatrick Office; Shine F.M.; Banbridge Road Presbyterian Church, Dromore; Pam French; Val & Ian Keegan; all the wonderful BanD volunteers - both committee members, family members and those who help quietly in the background.

And the general public for coming along and supporting our event.

Finally anyone they have forgotten to mention – you know who you are and they really appreciate your support.

BanD’s tea party launched Marie Curie Cancer Care’s Blooming Great Tea Party campaign and the charity is asking you to host your own Blooming Great Tea Party throughout June and July. So now, it’s over to you…

Don’t be shy, no tea party too big or too small, something to fit everyone… Please call 08700 340 040 or visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/teaparty for your own free Blooming Great Tea Party fundraising pack.

As little as £20 helps make a big difference:

One hour of a Nurse’s time costs the charity £20 and is free to the patient and their family.

To get help from the Marie Curie Nursing Service, talk to your GP, district nurse or discharge nurse. For more information, please visit: www.mariecurie.org.uk

Don’t forget to ‘like’ your local Marie Cuire Cancer Care Fundraising Group: www.facebook.com/MarieCurieBanD