Low cost airline, bmibaby, has launched a special partnership with TinyLife, Northern Ireland’s only premature and vulnerable baby charity.

 

To mark the launch, bmibaby’s mascot, Tiny attended TinyLife’s annual Teddy Bears Picnic, a family activity day which gives parents of premature and sick babies the opportunity to meet other families who have had similar experiences.

 

This is the first time the airline has officially supported a Northern Ireland charity and reflects bmibaby’s ongoing commitment to the local market.

 

Julian Carr, managing director, bmibaby, explains “We are very proud to bring Tinylife onboard as our official charity partner in Northern Ireland. There is a natural brand synergy between TinyLife and bmibaby and our work together will allow us to make a big difference to local families while also demonstrating our continued commitment to the Northern Ireland community.

“Out of 25,575 babies born in Northern Ireland last year 1805 were born prematurely. We know that by working with TinyLife, we can help raise vital funding that will allow the charity to provide expert care and support services to the sick babies under its care, giving them the best start in life.”

 

Valerie Cromie, Fundraising manager for TinyLife adds “We are delighted to have been chosen as bmibay’s official charity partner in Northern Ireland.  As a charity dedicated to helping sick babies and their families we rely heavily on the support of others, so this truly is a magnificent opportunity to help us continue our vital work.”

 

Over the forthcoming months bmibaby will be rolling out an action packed fundraising schedule to ensure TinyLife continues to make a big difference to everyone it touches. Managing director Julian Carr has already committed to a personal fundraising challenge and the charity will be given opportunities to raise both profile and income through a series of activities at Belfast International Airport and onboard bmibaby flights from Belfast to Manchester, Birmingham and East Midlands Airport.

 

For more information on Tinylife visit www.tinylife.org.uk

 

For more information on flights or to book visit www.bmibaby.com

 

Fold Housing Association has today launched a revolutionary new mobile therapy unit for people diagnosed with dementia.

 

Fiona Phillips and Health Minister Michael McGimpsey were at Belfast City Hall today to officially unveil the initiative, which has been named the Fold Brain Bus. An ex-GMTV presenter, Ms Phillips has been vocal about her experiences in caring for her father with dementia.

 

With its distinctive pink and purple exterior, the mobile unit is unlikely to be missed on the roads of Northern Ireland, and has been so designed to help raise awareness of dementia and dementia-related issues.

 

“There has been so much negativity surrounding the significant challenges to our society posed by dementia. But today we are launching a new support alternative that can make a real difference to people with dementia. Helping them to maintain their independence, and giving them more choice and control over their lives,” said Eileen Askham, Director of Care Services at today’s launch.

 

The Fold Brain Bus is believed to be the first of its kind in Europe and contains leading-edge technology that enables people with dementia to engage in cognitive and physical activities, which aims to help reduce depression, agitation and stress levels.

 

It is an innovative tool that can be adapted to the user’s specific interests and memories and can also be used by families and carers as a basis for improving social interaction. Its ultimate aim is to contribute to improved quality of life for people with dementia.

 

Eileen continued: “Fold Housing Association has long been proactive in seeking innovative ways to improve engagement and quality of life for people with dementia and we are extremely excited to be launching this initiative today. Longer-term we feel the mobility of the Fold Brain Bus will also help to tackle the care and diagnostic challenges posed by the rising numbers with this condition by improving access to leading-edge therapy technologies for people throughout Northern Ireland.”

 

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said: “Today represents a very positive step forward in the continued development of dementia services in Northern Ireland. It is very pleasing and encouraging to see innovative developments such as the ‘Brain Bus’. The technology on board will hopefully help reduce depression, agitation and stress levels for people with dementia, ultimately contributing to an improved quality of life and it will help restore a sense of control and dignity to their lives.

 

“I wish to commend Fold Housing Association on their dedication and hard work in developing this service, which is the first of its kind in Europe.  Not only has this hard work resulted in a new service for people with dementia, but it also acts as a platform for raising awareness of the condition.”

 

The Minister concluded: “I want to congratulate everyone involved in the development of the ‘Brain Bus’. I am sure that it will make a significant difference to the lives of many in Northern Ireland who suffer from dementia, as well as to their families and carers.”

Following the success of Action Cancer’s inaugural ‘MoonLight’ Walk in 2009, the charity is calling on the Northern Ireland public to once again don their walking shoes for this year’s Ballygowan Pink MoonLight Walk.  All money raised will support Action Cancer’s breast screening service, the only one of its kind in Northern Ireland.

 

Ballygowan Pink’s ‘Be Part of It’ campaign is sponsoring this year’s MoonLight Walk. The ‘Be Part of It’ campaign aims to raise much needed funds for breast cancer awareness on the island of Ireland and every bottle of Ballygowan Pink sold in Northern Ireland supports Action Cancer’s life saving early detection, prevention and support services.

 

Taking place on Friday 18^th June at 10pm, the 10 mile walk will depart from Stormont to Belfast City Centre and back again.

 

Registration for the Ballygowan Pink Moonlight Walk is £25 and Action Cancer is encouraging participants, where possible, to raise a minimum amount of £75.  This amount is significant as it is the average cost of a mammogram to the charity.

 

Dougie King, Head of Fundraising and Communications of Action Cancer, said, “It is proven that the earlier a cancer can be diagnosed the better.  As such, our breast screening service really does help save lives. For every 1,000 screenings that we undertake here at Action Cancer House, we detect an average of 7 breast cancers.  If every person taking part raises the target minimum figure of £75, then they will personally be giving a woman in Northern Ireland the chance to receive a breast screening. “

 

Leonie Doyle, Head of Stills Marketing at Britvic Ireland, said; “Every day in Northern Ireland, 3 women are diagnosed with breast cancer so it is vitally important to educate women on the importance of early detection in beating this disease.  As such, we’re extremely pleased to be part of the Ballygowan Pink Moonlight Walk supporting Action Cancer and are calling on women, and men, from across the country to get involved and to sign up for the challenge!  As well as being a great way to get fit, it’s an opportunity to walk in memory of a loved one, to support someone going through breast cancer, or to encourage the women in our lives to go for a screening at Action Cancer.”

 

Registration for the Ballygowan Pink Moonlight Walk is open until Friday 28 May 2010.  All those who register will receive a goodie bag, a t-shirt and a bottle of Ballygowan Pink.

 

For further information, or to register, sign up at www.actioncancer.org, contact Action Cancer on 028 9080 3361, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it