Tennent’s NI Makes Time for Friends

Damien Magerr, Quality Dispense Technician with the Belfast-based drinks company, is currently undergoing treatment for Prostate Cancer.  He was so impressed with the treatment, services and support provided by the Northern Ireland Cancer Centre at the City Hospital that he asked his friends at work to give a little fundraising support – but they went even further, making Friends of the Cancer Centre their designated charity for the year under the fundraising banner, “Tennent’s NI: Make Time for Friends”.

Damien is naturally delighted at the response of his colleagues and says, “The support of friends makes all the difference when you face difficulties in life and I am delighted to discover the depth of the support which I enjoy here at Tennent’s NI.  Now it’s time to let the goodwill pour and we’ll be getting together, as friends, to support and fundraise for the Cancer Centre, Northern Ireland’s regional centre for excellence in cancer care, based at the Belfast City Hospital.”

Keen to help raise funds and support his colleague and the charity, Jeff Tosh, Head of NI On Trade for Tennent’s NI, says, “Damien is a hard man to resist and, when he campaigned, for Friends of the Cancer Centre to become our nominated charity, we were only too happy to get behind both him and this great good cause.  Each year around 11,000 people in Northern Ireland are diagnosed with cancer so the chances are high that cancer may have touched our own lives or the lives of family or friends, giving Friends of the Cancer Centre particular resonance with not only our own employees, but also with our friends in the hospitality, drinks and entertainment sectors.

“Plans are already in progress to kick off our fundraising drive this summer with collections at major events in Northern Ireland’s social and sporting calendar – everything from Tennent’s Vital to race evenings at Down Royal Racecourse.  Our Make Time for Friends theme will be reinforcing camaraderie amongst employees along the way and they are ready to put the ‘fun’ into fundraising with a treasure hunt & BBQ for employees and their families, while individual members of staff will be running marathons, hosting Big Breakfasts … even taking part in Friends of the Cancer Centre’s famous annual Santa Sky Dive challenge!”

Welcoming the support, Colleen Shaw, Chief Executive, Friends of the Cancer Centre, says, “We are absolutely delighted to be named as the nominated charity for Tennent’s NI and we can’t thank Damien enough for putting us forward and rallying support from his colleagues.  The team at Tennent’s NI have really got behind the £20,000 fundraising drive and we’re already off to a flying start, with lots of exciting fundraising events lined up over the next few months. 

“The support of the staff at Tennent’s NI is incredibly important to the charity, as the money raised through the partnership will help us continue our work in supporting local cancer patients, as well as their families and carers.  Friends of the Cancer Centre is based at the heart of the Cancer Centre at Belfast City Hospital and we fund projects that make a real difference to the lives of those affected by cancer.  From providing a welcoming cup of tea and a daily newspaper for patients waiting on treatment, to investing nearly £1 million in locally led cancer research this year alone; Friends of the Cancer Centre is committed to making a difference to patients today.   Thanks to Damien and the team at Tennent’s NI, we have the opportunity to raise vital funds that will help us continue this work and help thousands of people across Northern Ireland.

“We also have a number of regional fundraising groups made up of and led by dedicated local volunteers.  If anyone else would like more information on their nearest fundraising group, or to help raise funds for Friends of the Cancer Centre, please just give us a call on 028 9069 9393 and we’ll be delighted to put you in touch.

For further information on Friends of the Cancer Centre please visit www.friendsofthecancercentre.com or call 028 9069 9393.

ENDS