Cancer Research Ballymoney

02/04/2026

BALLYMONEY COMMITTEE CANCER RESEARCH UK SUPPORTERS’ NIGHT

Over 70 people attended the recent supporters’ evening in St Patrick’s Parish Hall to hear about the fundraising achievements of the past year.

Mervyn Ferris Chairman of the Ballymoney Committee was pleased to announce that during the previous year the general public of Ballymoney had donated a fantastic total of £46465 to Cancer Research UK.

Certificates of Appreciation were presented to individuals and representatives from various organisations and retailers who supported this year’s fundraising events including the 2025 Community Spirit Award to Mr Thomas Paul who together with his wife Helen,raised £8000 from an auction and tea/coffee afternoon.

The special guest speak for the evening, Dr Rebecca Orr, chair of the NI Agri-Rural Health Forum gave an insightful and encouraging address commending everyone for their tremendous achievement and the resulting community spirit which can have far-reaching social and health benefits.

Mervyn revealed that after 25 years as Chairman he was standing down from this position but still remaining an active member. He expressed his appreciation to all who had supported him and the generosity of all who had donated to Cancer Research UK during this time.

Mervyn called on all to support the incoming Chairman Mr Ian Kennedy. Ian thanked the members of Ballymoney Committee for putting their faith in him to act as chairman and their offers of support going forward. He paid tribute to Mervyn for his commitment to the work of supporting Cancer Research UK adding his appreciation to all who had donated and those who had organised events to allow others the opportunity to do so.

Also in attendance, Lisa Bailey, Cancer Research UK Relationship Manager then addressed the meeting and spoke about the incredible contribution of the Ballymoney Committee and wider community.

She thanked everyone for their continued commitment and generosity, noting that the £46465 raised represents far more than a number, it reflects a community that consistently shows up, supports one another, and makes a real difference.

She spoke about how those funds are making a difference locally, referencing the work of researchers such as Dr Emma Kerr and Dr Kienan Savage, whose pioneering research is helping to improve outcomes for cancer patients. This connection between local fundraising and local research is something the Ballymoney community should feel incredibly proud of.

Lisa also took time to recognise some of the people behind the success. She paid tribute to June Skelton on celebrating 25 years of dedicated service, and Dorothy Hill for an incredible 40 years, an outstanding contribution that speaks volumes about the strength and commitment within the committee.

Lisa then revealed that a significant milestone also marked the evening with the announcement that the Ballymoney Committee has raised an incredible £1 million for Cancer Research UK since its formation.

In closing, Lisa congratulated the Committee on another exceptional year and paid a heartfelt tribute to Mervyn Ferris for his remarkable 25 years as Chairman, describing him as a constant and steady presence, steadily guiding, supporting, and always keeping the focus on raising vital funds to support life-saving research.

His dedication and leadership over such a sustained period have been instrumental in shaping the success the Committee continues to achieve today. Lisa also wished Ian Kennedy every success as he steps into the role of Chairman and encouraged everyone to keep going, confident that Ballymoney will continue to lead the way and make a lasting difference.

The evening concluded with supper, sponsored by local business Innovation Flooring.

27/02/2026

If you are in town tomorrow morning call in at Riverside Outdoor Living in Main Street and give your support to Moses taking part in an ice bath challenge for Cancer Research UK. 🥶

This Saturday at Riverside.

Moses from the team is taking on a 10 minute ice bath challenge in support of Cancer Research UK.

Tea and coffee available from 10:30am.
The dip begins at 11:00am.

If you’re calling in, scan the QR in store to donate and show your support. This Saturday at Riverside.

18/02/2026

Join with us at our Supporters’ Night to find out what your donations to Cancer Research UK have helped the charity to achieve.

Following the presentation refreshments will be served. We look forward to seeing you there.

It’s our way of saying thank you for the generosity you continue to show.

12/02/2026

If you have ever wondered what impact your donation can have, this short video highlights some past achievements as well as current work being carried out by Cancer Research UK.

With your continued support we are beating cancer.

10/02/2026

Catch the Saturday Night Fever this Valentine’s Evening at Ballymoney Rugby Club and dance the night away to all your disco favourites while supporting a worthy cause.

20/12/2025

Last week saw us hold our pre-Christmas collection at Smyth’s Eurospar. Thanks to all the customers who donated the fantastic sum of £1634.73 over the two days.

The committee really appreciate this opportunity afforded to us by the management at Eurospar. We would like to wish them, their staff and all our supporters a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

06/12/2025

On Thursday evening, Margaret Scott (President of Garryduff Presbyterian Church PW group) presented a donation on behalf of its members to Ian Kennedy of Ballymoney Committee.

We thank the ladies for their continued support to the work of Cancer Research UK.

23/11/2025

We would like to thank the officers, members and family/friends of Finvoy Girls’ Brigade for their kind donation of £643 to Cancer Research having come from the offering at their 50th anniversary service. We very much appreciate the company having our charity in their thoughts as they have marked a significant milestone.

Donna McLesiter (Company Captain) is pictured presenting the cheque to Lisa Bailey from Cancer Research UK.

22/11/2025

Yesterday evening in Dunloy Presbyterian Church Hall, friends and family of Thomas & Helen Paul gathered to present a cheque for £8000 to Cancer Research UK.

Lisa Bailey (Relationship Manager for CRUK in Northern Ireland) and members of Ballymoney Cancer Research Committee were in attendance to receive the very generous amount that had been donated from half the proceeds of the sale of a Charolais bullock at Ballymena Livestock Mart (the other half of the money having gone to the work of Laurel House at Antrim Area Hospital) and a very successful afternoon tea held a few weeks earlier.

Speaking briefly, Helen thanked all those who had come and helped make the afternoon tea such a success. The donation was something that they had in mind after Thomas had received immunotherapy treatment which had been developed by scientists working for Cancer Research. This paved the way for other treatments that he was able to receive.

Lisa thanked everyone for the amazing amount that had been donated adding that it will help to fund world-class research taking place in Northern Ireland. She added that cancer doesn’t discriminate according to age or background, but new discoveries are giving patients and their families hope.

Mervyn Ferris, Chairman of the Ballymoney Committee, endorsed Lisa’s comments and spoke about the statistics relating to someone being directly affected by cancer being 1 in 2 people - in many cases family members and close friends. This is the reason why members of the committee get involved and are always so thankful for the support that they receive from organisations and members of the general public.

05/11/2025

We never cease to be amazed by the generosity of people when they come together to support Cancer Research UK.

Another example of this is the afternoon tea which was held last Saturday in Dunloy Presbyterian Church Hall.

The venue was packed to capacity all afternoon and a large number of volunteers were on hand to serve the food and assist with parking.

We would like to show our appreciation to Thomas & Helen Paul who initiated the idea of the event, everyone who assisted them in any way and all who attended.

To date, the tremendous amount of £6150 has been donated as a result of the generosity of the general public.

Thank you to all who made this such a successful occasion.

01/11/2025

The hall is set out. All we need is YOU. Come along to Dunloy Presbyterian Church Hall this afternoon. Good food and chat will be on the menu.

02/10/2025

Thank you to Thomas & Helen Paul for their ongoing support of Cancer Research UK by organising afternoon tea in Dunloy Presbyterian Church Hall on Saturday 1 November.

All donations will help us to continue the work on finding cures and treatments for cancer.