'VISIBLE WOMEN' RAISE OVER £1,400 FOR CROSSROADS CARING FOR CARERS

A local charity which provides respite and support for carers has received a donation of over £1,400 from the annual 'Visible Women' event.

Crossroads Caring For Carers will now use the money to support its work in the North Down and Ards area, following the fundraising efforts at the 'Visible Women' event which is staged jointly by neighbouring Borough Councils, Ards and North Down, to recognise, celebrate and promote the role of women in all walks of life.

More than 200 women attended the event at the end of November to hear writer and broadcaster, Anne Hailes, give the key note address, where she was joined by influential trade union, women's and human rights activist, Inez McCormack, TA medic, Nuala Green, who has served in Afghanistan, and Sheila Smyth, a minister and 'music missionary' in India.

Councillor Naomi Armstrong-Cotter said:

"This is a fantastic fund-raising effort for a charity which does vital, but often unrecognised work to support those of all ages and backgrounds who care elderly, frail, ill or disabled friends or relatives. I hope the Visible Women event will, therefore, also have helped to make the charity itself more visible"

Speaking at the cheque presentation, Councillor Marion Smith, said:

"I am delighted that such a worthwhile and local cause is benefiting. I pay tribute to all those who attended the event and supported the ballot in aid of Crossroads Caring For Carers and, in particular, would like to thank all those businesses and organisations across the North Down and Ards areas who so generously sponsored prizes in what continue to be tough economic times".

Businesses and organisations which contributed prizes to the ballot in aid of Crossroads Caring for Carers were: Ards Arts; Ards Community Safety Partnership; Ards District Policing Partnership; Auto Shop, Newtownards; Bloomfield Shopping Centre, Choc-o-Bloc Chocolate Workshop, Newtownards; Clandeboye Estate; Clandeboye Lodge Hotel; Elizabeth Kirk Hairdressing, Newtownards; Excel, Newtownards; Exploris; Feckin Whiskey; Geraldine Cooper; Gransha Equestrian Centre; Hanna & Browne; Jonzara, Newtownards; Koko, Newtownards; Makhulu 5 Restaurant, Bangor; Mash Direct; Mel Walker; Menarys, Newtownards; Moda, Newtownards; Momentum Fitness; North Down Borough Council; North Down District Policing Partnership; Slice of Heaven, Newtownards; Strands Unisex Hair Salon, Bangor; Tanya Lafferty, Colour Me Beautiful; The Fat Cat Bistro, Ballyholme, The Perfume Shop, Wardens, Newtownards and Wolseys, Bangor.