Volunteers recognised

Leading fundraisers figures from the NSPCC across Northern Ireland, three of them from Coleraine, have been honoured at an annual NSPCC Volunteers Recognition event at Belfast Castle.

Between them, the seven fundraisers have given more than 150 years combined voluntary service to raising funds for the NSPCC.

The three local fundraisers are Marion Fulton, Kathleen McBride and Desmond Hill.

The charity in Northern Ireland provides a range of services to vulnerable children and young people, including ChildLine which is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

Pictured at the volunteers recognition event were (from left: Marion Fulton from Coleraine, Ann Shaw from Portadown, Kathleen McBride from Coleraine, Vikki Methven from Newcastle, Margaret Mitchell from Omagh, Desmond Hill from Coleraine and Janette Howard from Omagh

Neil Anderson, head of the NSPCC in Northern Ireland, told more than 80 volunteers from across Northern Ireland at the celebration in Belfast Castle that without them there would simply be no be NSPCC.

The charity’s trustee Lady Brenda McLaughlin detailed the range of services provided by specially trained volunteers and called for more people to step forward to help ensure that children and young people are protected from cruelty and exploitation.

The NSPCC is the only children’s charity fighting to end child abuse in the UK and Channel Islands.