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Bangor RNLI Receive Donations from Campbell College Kindergarten and Rotary Club of North Down

Posted on April 10, 2024 by admin

Bangor RNLI was delighted to receive two donations totalling £400 following fundraising drives to celebrate the charity’s 200^th anniversary this year.

Young Henry Scott, presented RNLI volunteer John Montgomery with a cheque for £200 which were the proceeds of a collection by Campbell College Kindergarten.

The funds were raised and donated in memory of Henry’s late grandfather, Johnny Mullen. Johnny was a past crew member of Bangor RNLI and was a very popular and distinguished sailor, both internationally and on the water of Belfast Lough.

On the same day, Peter Bullock also presented a cheque donation for £200 to our volunteers John Montgomery, John Magowan and Chris Beale on behalf of the Rotary Club of North Down.

Peter Bullock said: “We take great pleasure in presenting Bangor RNLI this modest cheque to help with the running of Bangor RNLI. The volunteers here are a credit to the organisation and an integral part of our community.”

Byron Griffiths, Bangor RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: “We are extremely grateful for these very generous donations from Campbell College Kindergarten and the Rotary Club of North Down. These funds will power our lifesaving work and help our volunteers to continue to save lives at sea.”

For more information on the RNLI, visit: www.rnli.org

John Montgomery, John Magowan, Chris Beale and Henry.

John Montgomery, John Magowan, Peter Bullock and Chris Beale.

21 Under 21 Entrepreneurs to Watch

Posted on March 25, 2024 by admin

Twenty-one current and future Belfast entrepreneurs gathered at the finale of the 21 Under 21 Entrepreneurs to Watch initiative at Danske Bank on Thursday 21^st March.

Designed to unearth, recognise, and fast-track twenty-one exceptional potential young entrepreneurs in the city, the Belfast City Council initiative offered a three-month programme of action-oriented workshops, acting as a springboard for future success for the successful participants.

The young entrepreneurs learned, in-person, from world-leading businesspeople including Alice Thompson (Co-Founder of Social Bite and The Big Sleepout), Greg Bradley (Founder of BLK BOX), Maebh Reynolds (Co-Founder of Go-Pluggable) and Alan Mahon (Founder of Brewgooder, the UK’s fastest growing beer brand).

Leading brands DWF Law, Danske Bank and Pacem Accounting & Tax who supported the initiative supplemented guest speakers’ experiences with practical guidance on starting and growing a business.

During the finale, the participants had the opportunity to pitch for a £2,000 cash boost. After a host of strong presentations, the judges voted for Brogán Brady and her company, Instyl, as the overall winner.

Speaking at the finale event, Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Ryan Murphy, said: “I’ve chosen to champion our city’s young people during my year in office, and we’ve also made a commitment to support Belfast’s young people to fulfil their potential in our community plan, The Belfast Agenda. 21 Under 21 Entrepreneurs to Watch is all about nurturing Belfast’s young people’s entrepreneurial talent, because they’re so fundamental to our city’s future success and growth.

“We’re not seeing enough young people starting businesses in Belfast yet – and that’s despite their obvious talent and ambition. We want to show that enterprise is a viable career option for everyone, regardless of age, or educational achievement. And while starting a business may be daunting, our council enterprise and business growth team and wider business networks are there to support you every step of the way.

The young entrepreneurs who have engaged in this initiative are exceptional and I want to take this opportunity to congratulate Brogán Brady of Instyl and her peers and wish them every success on their entrepreneurial journey.”

21 Under 21 2024 winner, Brogán Brady, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to win the £2,000 prize which will help accelerate the launch of my business, Instyl. The 21 Under 21 programme is a fantastic way to learn key business skills, build a network and make new friends. I’d really recommend anyone who had an idea or an early-stage business o consider applying and taking part in the future.”

Belfast Lord Mayor, Councillor Ryan Murphy met with 21 current and future Belfast entrepreneurs at the finale of the 21 Under 21 Entrepreneurs to Watch initiative at Danske Bank on Thursday 21st March.

Belfast City Council’s 21 Under 21 Entrepreneurs to Watch 2024 winner, Brogán Brady, who won £2,000 to help accelerate the launch of her business, Instyl.

Down Royal Racecourse Launches New Family Fixture With Fibrus

Posted on March 22, 2024 by admin

Down Royal announces full fibre broadband provider Fibrus as headline sponsor of debut family race meeting.

Racegoers of all ages across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to attend Down Royal’s brand new Fibrus Family Race Day taking place on Sunday 14^th April.

This partnership will see Fibrus secure title naming rights to this year’s new race meeting bringing the total number of fixtures at Down Royal in 2024 to fourteen.

With something for everyone, families will be able to enjoy a day of exciting National Hunt racing, combined with fantastic kids’ entertainment including bouncy castles, face painters, balloon modellers, a petting farm and so much more.

A first-time sponsor at Down Royal, Fibrus is an award-winning company, first established in Northern Ireland, and is on a mission to bring fibrefast Full Fibre Broadband to rural homes and businesses across NI and the UK.

Commenting on the sponsorship, Dominic Kearns, CEO at Fibrus, said: “Fibrus is delighted to be sponsoring the inaugural Fibrus Family Race Day at Down Royal. As well as being our introduction to the world of horse racing, this is a brand-new fixture for Down Royal and we’re thrilled to be a part of such an exciting partnership.

“We’re looking forward to seeing families come together and enjoy a day of excitement, laughter and cherished memories all while watching some fantastic horse racing.”

Kathryn Holland, commercial manager at Down Royal, added: “We’re excited to inspire the next generation of horse-racing fans by encouraging people of all ages to attend out new family fixture. This is part of our wider strategy to safeguard the future of horse-racing in Northern Ireland.

“We want to showcase the vibrant atmosphere of our racecourse to all, therefore, with general admission, children under 14 can attend for free with a ticket-holding adult, offering great value for money.”

For more information, visit downroyal.com/tickets.

Down Royal has announced full fibre broadband provider Fibrus as headline sponsor of its new family fixture taking place on Sunday 14th April 2024. Pictured is Kathryn Holland, Commercial Manager at Down Royal with Dominic Kearns, CEO at Fibrus.

High Society Brings Style and Vibrancy Back to the High Street

Posted on March 14, 2024 by admin

Independent barbers, High Society Cut Club, launched their business on the ground floor of 29 Gresham Street today, Thursday 14^th March, with the support of a Belfast City Council Vacant to Vibrant capital grant, bringing the property back into use after twenty years of vacancy.

Clíodhna Nic Bhranair, Chair of Belfast City Council’s City Growth and Regeneration Committee, said: “It’s fantastic to see our Vacant to Vibrant capital grant scheme supporting small businesses, independent retailers, social enterprises, and cultural and voluntary organisations to transform vacant spaces.

“The Smithfield area is going to be absolutely transformed in the lead up to our landmark visitor experience, Belfast Stories, opening just across the way in 2029. These local businesses and organisations are providing employment, helping to deliver an authentic Belfast experience, and fostering a greater sense of pride in the city.”

Independent barber ‘High Society Cut Club’ owners Joao (Johnny) Jesus and Hannah McShane with dog Phoebe, are joined by Councillor Clíodhna Nic Bhranair, Chair of Belfast City Council’s City Growth and Regeneration Committee, and Ashley Stewart, Partner (NI), Bywater, on their first day of business on the ground floor of 29 Gresham Street, Thursday 14th March.

High Society Cut Club owner, Hannah McShane, said: “We’re thrilled to open our traditional barber shop in a part of the city that encapsulates Belfast’s rich culture and artistic heritage. This move to the city centre wouldn’t have been possible for us without support from property owners, Bywater, and Belfast City Council – we can’t wait to see what the future holds for us as city-centre living continues to grow.”

The opening of High Society Cut Club is part of their ongoing commitment to responsibly bring this historic part of the city back to life by supporting independent retail businesses across their portfolio of properties in the area.

Next year, High Society Cut Club plan to repurpose the first floor of the property to develop a training academy, offering a beginners’ training programme, creating additional employment opportunities and pathways to employment.

Vacant to Vibrant is a key project in Belfast City Council’s Future City Centre Programme, which opened in July 2022, and aims to incentivise both property owners and potential occupiers to bring vacant Belfast city centre spaces back into use, while supporting the city centre’s revitalisation and ensuring sustainable rates of growth.

The council are also providing a matchmaking service through a partnership approach with commercial agent Frazer Kidd, linking businesses with potential units, with the opportunity to access capital funding through the scheme.

For more information, go to www.belfastcity.gov.uk/vacanttovibrant or email vacanttovibrant@belfastcity.gov.uk

James Nesbitt Launches the Great Daffodil Appeal

Posted on March 11, 2024March 11, 2024 by admin

Actor James Nesbitt showed his support for Marie Curie as he launched the leading end of life charity’s 38^th Great Daffodil Appeal in Belfast.

Marie Curie cares for people in their homes and at its hospices, whatever their illness, bringing clinical care, comfort and emotional support to individuals facing end of life or those close to them.

Throughout March, volunteer collectors will be out and about on high streets and at stores in every village, town and city across Northern Ireland collecting donations with their iconic daffodil pin.

Depending on fundraising and legacy donations to fund its work, Marie Curie provided at home and in-patient hospice care to nearly 5,000 people last year which costs around £11.1m per year.

Known for his latest television work in crime drama Bloodlands, as well as his role as Adam in the long-running romantic comedy series, Cold Feet, Actor, James Nesbitt commended the charity, stating: “I greatly admire the Marie Curie nurses, healthcare assistants, doctors and the wide range of healthcare professionals who provide expert end of life care to people when care and support becomes more important than cure.

“Marie Curie could not operate without the help of its loyal and devoted band of volunteers. They are giving back to help others, often due to their own personal experiences from having their loved ones cared for by Marie Curie.”

One of these volunteers was Edwina Tester from Belfast, whose late husband Victor was cared for at the Belfast hospice before he died in 2004. Edwina said: “It was lovely to meet Jimmy Nesbitt and for him to take the time to support our Great Daffodil Appeal. I’ve been collecting and volunteering for Marie Curie for 20 years as I wanted to do my bit as a thank you for the care that my husband received.”

Ciara Gallagher, Head of Funding for Marie Curie in Northern Ireland, added: “Every £23 raised helps Marie Curie provide an hour of nursing care for someone at home. Everything we do, everything we fund, is so that everyone can have the best quality of life to the end.”

Superdrug are proud to be headline partner for Marie Curie, inviting customers to purchase a daffodil pin from any of their stores. People can also pick up a daffodil pin at their local Spar store where customers may also buy a bunch of fresh cut daffodils, with 10p per bunch being donated to Marie Curie.

For more information and to donate, visit: Mariecurie.org.uk/daffodil or contact Marie Curie Support Line on 0800 090 2309.