Other News In Brief

NI Council To Provide Free Sanitary Products

Antrim and Newtownabbey Council has approved a proposal to provide free sanitary products in council buildings and leisure centres.

Alliance Cllr Glenn Finlay raised the issue and said its passing demonstrates the progressive nature of the council.

Welcoming the decision, Cllr Finlay said: "Having worked with period poverty activist Katrina McDonnell from the Homeless Period Belfast, I was inspired to highlight the #MenstruationMatters campaign and I was pleased to get this important issue onto the council agenda.

"I feel that ANBC have shown that they are a council of progression and equality and I hope it goes some way to addressing the gender balance. If we can pay for toilet roll, hand towels and soap we can also pay for feminine sanitary products.

"I would like to pay special tribute to senior council officers who got behind this idea when I brought it to them and the obvious passion they had to see this become reality. I hope that this will encourage other councils and employers to follow suit with this initiative."

Ulster Hockey Commits To Supporting NI Children's Hospice

Ulster Hockey has announced a three-year charity partnership with the Northern Ireland Children's Hospice.

The deal will fund a Staff Nurse for the charity and raise awareness for the work they do, as the hockey team has the hospice logo emblazoned on all kits and merchandise.

Players, including Olympic Games-bound star Shirley McCay, and committee members, visited Horizon House in Belfast where they met with children, families and staff and were given a tour of specialist care facilities.

The team is also taking part in the Children's Hospice festive fundraising campaign, Jingle All the Way, with a number of players running in the Jingle 5k/10k run at Stormont on Sunday 8th December.

Marc Scott, Ulster Hockey's Executive Manager, said: "The Board and staff of Ulster Hockey are humbled and proud to support NI Children's Hospice. The cause of the Hospice affects us all in some way and we hope that, with the support of the hockey family, our contribution can help the Hospice to thrive and make a positive difference to the lives of children and families."

Sheila Duffy, Head of Corporate Partnerships at NI Childre's Hospice added: "It's great to have Ulster Hockey on board supporting the Children's Hospice through a range of fundraising and awareness initiatives. We are all looking forward to a great relationship with a large population of local hockey players and supporters throughout Northern Ireland."

NI Children's Hospice is the only service of its type in Northern Ireland caring for over 300 local infants, children and young people with life-limited conditions every year.

It costs £3.8 million per year to run children's services, with approximately 35% of these costs met by statutory funding.

New Pavilion Opens In L'Derry

The Leafair Well-Being Village scheme has been completed in L'Derry, bringing new office and recreational space to the area.

This £1.4 million project saw a pavilion built, featuring four new changing rooms for the existing 3G and grass pitches

Opening the new facilities, Mayor, Councillor Michaela Boyle said: "I am delighted to officially open the new Leafair Well Being Village which is an outstanding addition to the existing playing pitch facilities at the complex.

"I am pleased that we are continuing our commitment in the Strategic Growth Plan to build the capacity of our local sporting and recreational clubs to become more sustainable and encourage higher levels of participation and proficiency in sport and recreational activities.

"Congratulations and thanks to all the stakeholders who delivered this key community asset including the Leafair Community Association the Social Investment Fund board, local sports clubs and local residents."

The Leafair Well-Being Village was delivered by Derry City and Strabane District Council and the Leafair Community Association with supporting funding from the Social Investment Fund (SIF).

It is one of three projects supported by the Social Investment Fund under the Playing Pitch projects. The other two are the Ryan McBride Stadium and the GAA pitch at the Corrody Road.



(JG/CM)