Simmental club raises £11,000 for charity

by | Sep 9, 2014


Sim BBQ 6

The NI Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club has presented a cheque for £11,000 to Friends of the Cancer Centre based at Belfast City Hospital. 

The money is the proceeds of the club’s annual charity BBQ and auction, which was boosted by a raffle organised by club members Pat and Kathleen Kelly, from Tempo, County Fermanagh.

Charity trustees Jim Gamble and Avril Graham said: “This is an exceptional amount of money for a very worthy cause. It is a great privilege to accept the cheque on behalf of Friends of the Cancer Centre, and we are truly grateful to the Northern Ireland Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club for its generous contribution.”

Speaking at the club’s annual BBQ, held recently in Dungannon Rugby Club, the charity’s fund raising manager Claire Hogarth said:” Friends of the Cancer Centre makes a meaningful difference to thousands of patients and their families annually.

“Funds raised will go towards patient comfort and care, complementary therapies such as aromatherapy, massage and reflexology; as well as research and clinical trials. We also provide clinical nurse specialists and information and support.”

NI Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club chairman Richard Rodgers thanked everyone who supported this year’s fund raising efforts. “We had a fantastic night, with a great crowd and excellent food. More importantly we raised a staggering £11,000 for Friends of the Cancer Centre.

“I would like to thank the committee and everyone who contributed to the success of the evening, especially the ladies who provided the salads and the delicious desserts; and those who donated prizes for the raffle and items for the auction. Thanks also to Colin Harbinson from The Meat Joint in Antrim who supplied and partly sponsored the steak; and to Dungannon Rugby Club for its excellent facilities.”

Pat Kelly added:”A big thank you to everyone who supported this year’s charity. It was a huge success, and this phenomenal amount of money is testimony to the hard work and dedication of a collective body of people.”

Winning ticket holders included:

Kevin Leonard, Enniskillen – Two nights B&B for two people at the Slieve Russell hotel in Derrylin.

Tony Kelly, Tempo  – One tonne of Excelsior pedigree feed from Fane Valley.

Bernie Traynor, Draperstown – Mid-week B&B stay for two people in a lake view room at the Lough Erne Golf Resort and Spa.

Gabriel Williamson, Enniskillen – £200 Marks and Spencer voucher

Paul Campbell, Tempo –  Meal for two at the award-winning MacNean Restaurant at Blacklion, County Cavan, and a cookery book signed by celebrity chef Neven Maguire.

The NI Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club has been hosting its charity BBQ at Dungannon Rugby Club for 23 years, and during that time has raised almost £100,000 for local charities.

Lee, Amy and Robert Wilson pictured at the NI Simmental Club's annual charity BBQ, Dungannon. Picture: Julie Hazelton

Enjoying the Simmental  Club's BBQ are Christopher Boyd and Adele McKeown, Portglenone. Picture: Julie Hazelton

John and Julie Jardine, with Jordan Clydesdale and Amanda Hutchinson, Ballyroney, at the Simmental Club's annual charity BBQ. Picture: Julie Hazelton

Leonard McLaughlin and Gillian Mulholland, Portglenone, enjoyed the Simmental Club's annual charity BBQ. Picture: Julie Hazelton

Enjoying the Simmental BBQ are Patsy and Kate McDonald, and Pat and Kathleen Kelly, from Tempo. Picture: Julie Hazelton

Drawing the winning raffle tickets are club chairman Richard Rodgers, Claire Hogarth, Friends of the Cancer Centre, and club member and organiser Pat Kelly. Picture: Julie Hazelton

The NI Simmental Cattle Breeders' Club raised £11,000 for Friends of the Cancer Centre. The charity's trustees Jim Gamble and Avril Graham are pictrued receiving the cheque from Pat and Kathleen Kelly, and club chairman Richard Rodgers. Looking on are club committee members. Picture: Julie Hazelton

Pictured at the Simmental Club BBQ are Val, Maureen, Conrad and Donna Fegal from Rostrevor. Picture: Julie Hazelton

Simmental breeders Joe and Phyllis Wilson, Newry, enjoyed the club's annual BBQ. Picture: Julie Hazelton

Jonny, Julie, David and Jackalyn Hazelton, Dungannon, pictured at the NI Simmental Club's annual charity BBQ. Picture: Julie Hazelton

Christopher Weatherup, Ballyclare, and fiancee Laura McLean. Picture: Julie Hazelton

Simmental Club treasurer Leslie Weatherup, vice chairman Matthew Cunning, and secretary Robin Boyd, pictured at the club's charity BBQ and auction. Picture: Julie Hazelton

The Carson family, David, Mary, Gillian, Adrian and Darren, from Garrison, County Fermanagh, pictured at the Simmental Club BBQ. Picture: Julie Hazelton

Club chairman Richard Rodgers, and treasurer Leslie Weatherup, with Colin Harbinson from The Meat Joint in Antrim, who provided and partly sponsored the steak for the BBQ. Picture: Julie Hazelton