NIFHA Press Room
Helm's SCRABO MANOR BLOOMS IN SUPPORT OF MARIE CURIE
Tuesday 20 April 2010
Residents from Helm Housing’s Scrabo Manor scheme in Newtownards are celebrating that their “Field of Hope”, in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care, is in full bloom!Helm Housing (previously BIH Housing), NI’s largest housing association, came on board last year as sponsors for the Marie Curie Fields of Hope campaign for a two year period.
An estimated 50,000 daffodil bulbs were planted by staff and tenants in over 50 Helm Housing schemes across Northern Ireland last autumn, offering a symbol of hope to hundreds of local people who are living with end-of-life illnesses and who depend on Marie Curie Cancer Care for support for themselves and their families.
The ‘Fields of Hope’ campaign encourages local businesses, members of the community and schoolchildren to pull on their wellies and pick up their trowels to plant daffodils for the local charity. When the flowers bloom in spring, the public sites become a sea of yellow, raising awareness for Marie Curie Cancer Care throughout communities in Northern Ireland.
 | Pictured on the left is Sharon Hyndman from Helm Housing together with Scrabo Manor residents Mrs Maud Scott and Mrs Anne Murdoch, and Anne Hannon, Corporate Development Manager, Marie Curie Cancer Care. Anne Hannan commented:, “Marie Curie Cancer Care provides community nursing to patients in their own homes throughout NI. We also provide specialist nursing care in our Marie Curie hospice Belfast. We are humbled by the support we have received from Helm Housing staff and residents who have planted 50,000 daffodils and raised money through our Field of Hope campaign. |
"Thank you to each and every one who have contributed and when you see those daffodils its an instant reminder of the support you have given to help our Marie Curie Nurses continue to provide specialist end of life care to terminally ill patients.”
Jean Fulton, Group Chief Executive of Helm Housing, explains why such a charity partnership is important:
“Our work is not just about housing – it’s about homes and communities. We are committed to implementing a corporate social responsibility strategy and actively encourage and support Helm employees to make a positive impact to the wider community through Employer Supported Volunteering.
“Helm recognises the significant enthusiasm, expertise and energies that exists at all levels across the organisation and is committed to providing support to individuals or teams of staff for the benefit of the wider community throughout the province. I am delighted that since the launch of the partnership 7 months ago, our staff and tenants have raised over £8,500 for Marie Curie.”
“Helm Housing would also like to thank The Landscape Centre in Dunadry, Co. Antrim for their support of the NI Fields of Hope scheme this year through matching every daffodil bulb provided by Marie Curie.”
Marie Curie Cancer Care provides high quality nursing, totally free, to give people with terminal cancer and other illnesses the choice of dying at home, supported by their families.
Helm Housing provides almost 5000 tenants throughout Northern Ireland with affordable and high quality service and accommodation. To date Helm Housing has provided support and fundraised for PIPS (Public Initiative for the Prevention of Suicide and Self-harm), Firomyalgia (NI), Motor Neurone Disease Association, Arthritis Care (NI) and PAPA (NI).
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