A fundraising campaign to build a new Children’s Hospice facility in Fermanagh is on track to meet its £1.2m target. Over the last three years a group of local women and men from Fermanagh have been the driving force behind securing over £700,000 to help build the new facility.  

Speaking about the success of the campaign and the generosity of local people, Chief Executive, Judith Hill said,

“The economic landscape has changed significantly from when the Horizon West project was launched three years ago. What has been overwhelming is the consistency of generosity and enthusiasm by local people to support Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice, Horizon West appeal. There is a need for this facility in the Tyrone / Fermanagh area and we hope the support group and hospice can rely further on the public throughout all phases of this project and service.”

For the past ten years Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice has continued to provide a regional service for children and young people with life-limiting illnesses and offers support to their families. It is the only service of its type in NI with care being provided in the child’s own home and in the children’s hospice located in Newtownabbey.

Horizon West was launched with a focus on strengthening existing services and to offer a facility on the doorstep of families living in the most rural parts of NI. Speaking about what it will offer Tina McCrossan, Director of Children's Services for Northern Ireland Children's Hospice said,

"Horizon West will provide a range of support for children and young people with life-limiting conditions. A mixture of planned stays at Horizon West as well as support for parents and siblings will be the focus of the facility, strengthening local children's hospice services currently being provided across Northern Ireland. To date the fundraising appeal for a new build has been very successful and we will soon be entering phase 2 of the appeal, focusing on securing the revenue funds for the day to day running of the service."

The opening of the facility will begin with a series of open days for families during the summer months but will not begin full service delivery until running costs are secured. The commitment to provide accessible, high quality clinical care and family support remains a priority for the charity.

“If anything we are more committed than ever. Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice fully appreciates the challenges families face in caring for their children and this is our motivation. However, we must be responsible and prudent in our decision making to ensure the financial stability of the project. For this reason we are taking a phased approach to the opening and families continue to receive our service at home. We are aiming to establish a support group in Omagh and are interested in hearing from people who would like to volunteer their time to support or fundraise for our charity.”

If you would like to support the Horizon West Appeal or find out more about how you can help: Contact: Local fundraiser Emma Burton on 07773 367286 or Gladys O’Callaghan, Fermanagh Support Group on 07968 917619

Email: horizonwestappeal@nihospice.org