Newtown charity to provide comfort for the terminally

PROVIDING comfort, care and kindness to local people bravely facing the end of their lives is the aim of a new charity established in Newtownstewart.

Founded by health professionals in the town, the ‘Newtownstewart Patient Comfort and Terminally Ill Fund’ (NPCTIF) has been set up to improve the quality of life of chronically and terminally-ill persons in the Newtownstewart area who wish to be cared for at home, by making cash donations or carers available.

Supporting any person living within a five-mile radius of Newtownstewart, and patients of Western Rural Health Care Newtownstewart, the charity will also help with personal and health needs, specialised equipment, and financial support where there is hardship.

Furthermore, NPCTIF will also consider applications made by the district nurses or General Practitioners on behalf of seriously or terminally-ill patients, and the fund may be used in exceptional circumstances to make specialist equipment and aids available to assist patients’ care.

Gillian Craig, GP practice social worker, has been instrumental in setting up the fund.

She is currently the public relations officer of NPCTIF, while Dr Greene, the anchored GP at Newtownstewart Medical Centre, is the chairperson.

‘Enhancing care’

Speaking to the Chronicle, Gillian explained that it was the warm-heartedness of local residents of Newtownstewart who inspired the establishment of the charity.

“The idea for the charity came about following our local community expressing a desire to raise money for a very deserving local cause,” Gillian explained. “As health professionals, we are in a position to do this as we are very ably supported by a wide variety of health professionals and community groups and individuals in the local area.

“The fund is a platform which can co-exist with the other great work delivered by the many local community groups and projects, which together enhance our community and care of our people in Newtownstewart and surrounding area.”

To date, £4,200 in donations has already been received by the fund to help locals who are most in need.

“The ‘Two Castles Community and Development Association’ raised £2,000 towards the fund from their ‘2020 Community Festival’, which included straw bales shaped like superheroes,” Gillian reflected. “These were on display on Newtownstewart Bypass, and brought with them the message that ‘together we are a super power’. They also held a fundraising tractor and truck run for the Fund.

“Naomh Eoghan GAA raised £1,260 through a very entertaining and thrilling ‘Defenders v Forwards’ fundraiser, while the Newtownstewart Young Farmers’ Club kindly donated £550 to the charity from their recent fundraising events.”

The Newtownstewart Patient Comfort and Terminally-Ill Fund first Annual General Meeting, which was held recently, was a great success.

Donations can be made to Newtownstewart Patient Comfort and Terminally Ill Fund by cash or cheque.

 For more information, please contact Newtownstewart Medical Centre on 028 81661333.