Joining Support Groups

Dedicated support groups are constantly organising quiz nights, street collections, fun walks, sales and dances among many others to help fund the vital Southern Area Hospice Services in your area. You can help promote Southern Area Hospice Services in your area and raise much needed funds by joining one of the following SAHS Support Groups:

Mourne Support Group (Newry & Mourne Region)
In 1986 a group of six ladies from Mourne got together to raise awareness and fundraise for hospice services. Mrs Margaretta McCullough started the group, following the death of her husband and in 1989, when the Southern Area Hospice Services opened in Newry, the group began to fundraise for their local Hospice. Since then, with the support of the people of Mourne, the Mourne Group have raised over £1/4 million for the hospice. It now has 20 members, including four founding members. They hold monthly meetings and organise a variety of events throughout the year, such as coffee mornings, raffles, street collections and church gate collections.

Support Groups - New Members Wanted: We are currently seeking people to join our new Support Groups in Castlewellan and Crossmaglen. If you have some spare time and would be interested in joining these groups please contact Joanne on Tel: (028) 3025 1333 or

lindsayj@southernareahospiceservices.org

Blue Dove (Banbridge Region)

Blue Dove Support Group were established in 1996 and annually raise valuable funds for their local Hospice through a series of fundraising activities. They rely on the local community to support them in their fundraising.

If you would like to help the members of Blue Dove with their fundraising please call Liz Armstrong, Chairperson, on 077200 98647. They meet once a month in Banbridge and would welcome new members with open arms.

Friends of Southern Area Hospice Services (Lurgan & Portadown Region)

Friends of SAHS was formed six years ago after the death of a good friend's Mum and the group have continued to go from strength to strength. They meet once a month in the Ashburn Hotel in Lurgan to plan and implement their fundraising events.

If you would be interested in joining the support group or helping them out from time to time, please call Deirdre Breen on (028) 3834 8049.

Congratulations and a big thanks to the entire group who worked exceptionally hard in 2007 to ensure that everything organised was successful. Thanks also to everyone who supported their hard work, we really appreciate it.

Encircle (Armagh and Dungannon region)
Encircle was formed in August 2006 and are currently looking for people in the Dungannon and Armagh regions who would be interested in joining their support group.

Encircle Fundraising Support Group held their first event in October 2006, a parachute jump challenge. 30 people participated in a 13,000 feet tandem parachute jump. The total amount raised is £10,600 ! Encircle would like to thank all those who took part and everyone who gave so generously helping to raise this fantastic amount of money.

Hospice staff would like to sincerely thank everyone who has supported Hospice in various ways throughout the year, in the community, church collections, collection boxes or donating items to the Dungannon Shop.

Encircle, the SAHS fundraising group in Armagh and Dungannon are always happy to invite new members to join their fundraising group.  Encircle meet approx every 6-8weeks to discuss fundraising ideas and raising awareness of Hospice in the local area.  Encircle organise events throughout the year in order to keep the profile of Hospice in the thoughts of the local community. 

If you would like more information or are interested in sparing a few hours for fundraising for SAHS, please contact Emma Trainor on (028) 3025 1333 or trainore@southernareahospiceservices.org

Dr Murty & Friends

Local doctor in Dungannon, Dr Murty and friends have been busy all year running various fundraising initiatives to raise much-needed funds for SAHS.  Throughout the year the group ran a table quiz in Dungannon Golf Club, held collections, held church collections and a flag day.  In December 2007 Dr Murty and friends visited Hospice in Newry to present a cheque for £12,202!  This is an absolutely fantastic amount of money!  Congratulations Dr Murty and Friends.

If you would like to become involved in Encircle, the Armagh / Dungannon fundraising support group please contact Emma on (028) 302 51333, or at trainore@southernareahospiceservices.org

No support group in your area?
Why not get a group of friends together and set one up? We will give you all the help you need -contact us for more details.

There are a number of support groups working throughout the Southern Health Board Area that raise over £140,000 each year for the Southern Area Hospice Services. If you are interested in joining a group in your area or would like to start your own group please contact fundraising on Tel: (028) 3025 1333.

                             MANY THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS

Southern Area Hospice Services would like to thank all our past and current supporters, individuals and corporate partners for their dedication and commitment to raising funds on our behalf.