New transport for children's charity

A delighted Gillian Creevy, chief executive NI Cancer Fund for Children, accepts the keys to a specially adapted minibus from Mike Crane, managing director LV, Liverpool Victoria, insurance broker division. This year the annual LV minibus for charity came to NI thanks to the efforts of Paul Williamson, left, and colleagues at Crumlin, Co Antrim farm insurance brokers CIP. The minibus will be based at the charitys innovative respite care facility for cancer patients and their families overlooking the Mournes near Newcastle. Photograph: Columba O'Hare

The charity that provides support for local children affected by cancer and their families, won the minibus from the LV= Broker Big Heart Minibus Giveaway through an online vote after kindly being nominated by local broker CIP Insurance, an impressive feat with over 65 charities nominated throughout the UK.

The new bus was officially handed over to the charity by CIP Insurance and LV= Insurance at Daisy Lodge, Cancer Fund for Children’s therapeutic short break facility at the foothills of the Mourne Mountains, in Newcastle, on January 13. Staff from both companies also enjoyed a tour of Daisy Lodge and the adjacent Narnia log cabin.

CIP Insurance has been supporting Cancer Fund for Children for two years and has raised money for the charity by hosting a variety of fundraising events.

The mini-bus will be used to bring children and young people affected by cancer to residentials at the charity’s Narnia Log Cabin in Newcastle and to a range of other locations for activities.

Cancer Fund for Children’s Chief Executive Gillian Creevy, said: “We are overjoyed to have won this fantastic new minibus through the LV= Broker Big Heart Mini Bus Giveaway and we’re extremely grateful to CIP Insurance for nominating us. Unbelievably, it is ten years since we opened the doors to our magical 24 berth residential log cabin facility, Narnia. In the past 10 years, Cancer Fund for Children has hosted over 237 residentials there. It’s a very special place - a world away from hospitals and treatment, anxiety and uncertainty. A world away from cancer.

“Led by our team of Specialists, children have the opportunity to experience some independent living, make new friends, learn new skills – all designed to help them cope with their illness and so they can simply enjoy being a child again. This new minibus will allow us to transport young people from all across the province and to continue our work. A really wonderful 10th anniversary present!”

Mike Crane, Managing Director of LV= Broker said: “Cancer Fund for Children provides an extremely valuable service to children and young people affected by cancer so it’s great to know that our donation of an LV= minibus will make such a difference. Putting people at the heart of what we do is key to LV=’s success and it’s great that we’ve been able to work with our broker partners CIP Insurance to identify such a deserving cause.”

Paul Williamson, Managing Director of CIP Insurance Brokers said: “We were delighted to be given the opportunity to nominate Cancer Fund for Children in the LV= Broker Big Heart Minibus Giveaway. This is a competition open to all UK Insurance Brokers and it is a huge achievement that a Northern Ireland charity received the most votes to win this brand new minibus. CIP Insurance is very proud of its partnership with Cancer Fund for Children and would like to thank all our colleagues and friends in the insurance industry who gave their vote to this very worthwhile local children’s charity.”

To find out more about Cancer Fund for Children’s services or how you can get involved visit www.cancerfundforchildren.com or call 028 9080 5599.