1. Archery is for anyone!
Shine Northern Ireland
PO Box 132, Cushendall BT44 OWA
Email: northern.ireland@shinecharity.org.uk
Contact no: 01733 555988 www.shinecharity.org.uk
NI NewsletterRegistered Charity No. 249338
Summer 2013
On Wednesday 29th May 2013, The
Range Archery Centre, Ballymoney held
the 1st Northern Ireland Disability Archery
Championship.
Three of our Shine members took part in the
competition: Daniel Black, Ruth Gracey and
Tanya Wilson. All three took up archery after
being at The Range Archery Centre for a night
out with Shine.
At the competition, Daniel, Ruth and Tanya all
won Gold medals in their categories. Tanya also
won a shield for the best overall female score.
Tanya said, “I never thought I would be able
to do archery, but I can and love it! It really
takes my mind off my pain, as I’m focusing on
shooting the arrows. With the help of our coach
Chris McFadyan, I overcame any difficulties.
I can’t believe what I have achieved in just 10
weeks. Anyone can give archery a go, and I’m
sure you’ll get hooked just like me.”
Congratulations to Shine
members Lyndsey Wilson and
Lisa Law on their recent marriages
in June. We wish you and your new
husbands well for the future. Many happy
years together. Congratluations Mrs Cotton
(Lyndsey) and Mrs Haddock (Lisa).
Wedding Congratulations
2. On Saturday 14 September 2013, our Health
Adviser Marie McGonnell is doing Jigs and
Reels for Shine. Come along to the Halfway
House near Fahan and don’t forget your
cameras.
Why not Abseil down the
Europa Hotel for Shine on
Saturday 7 September 2013
Contact Cathy McKillop for more information.
Member Profile
Sophie was born on 26th June 2011 in
Altnagelvin Hospital. She has a twin sister
Alena and they are both very happy and
playful little girls! Sophie and Alena were born
at 30 weeks, 10 weeks early, and Sophie
had several challenges with infections and
other complications. She was diagnosed with
hydrocephalus at 3 weeks old and in October
2011 had a shunt fitted to help control this. She
and Alena were 2 in June 2013 and the girls are
really thriving.
We were signposted to Shine by the Hospital
Social Worker in the neo-natal unit and when
Sophie came home from hospital, we made
contact and were visited by Health Adviser
Marie McGonnell and Support and Development
Worker Sandra Campbell. Marie explained
hydrocephalus and the shunt, showing us what
the shunt looked like, how it worked and what to
look out for in case of malfunction.
This was extremely helpful as Marie answered
my questions, discussed concerns, and I felt
very reassured by this. Sandra helped with
applications for Sophie’s benefits and other
relevant issues and recently referred us to
Education Adviser Catherine McCurry for
specific information regarding the pre-school
and statutory assessment process. Again, this
service has been very helpful in planning ahead
for Sophie’s pre-school years with specific
advice and information.
We have attended many social events in the
Foyle region organised by Shine, and Sophie
and Elena really enjoy the Christmas parties
and Jo Jingles. We are looking forward to the
Summer Fancy Dress BBQ!
These events are great for the girls to interact
with other children, and also for me to meet with
other parents and talk about similar issues in
a relaxed environment. Sophie is a very happy
little girl, always smiling and full of fun. We are
very grateful to Shine for all their help.
3. In order to see if services can be improved
for those attending Spina Bifida Out-patient
Clinics at RBHSC, a questionnaire is being
drawn up. When complete, this will be mailed
to the parents/carers of all children on the
Spina Bifida Out-patient Clinic database at
RBHSC.
When you receive the questionnaire, please
take time to complete and return it. This is
your opportunity to be as truthful as possible
and highlight any issues such as how you find
car parking, etc. you find when attending Out-
patient appointments.
There will also be an opportunity to attend
one-to-one meetings and workshops to see if
services can be improved for those attending
Spina Bifida Out-patient Clinics.
Summer Ludo in Carrick
On Saturday 22nd June our young people had
great fun at the Ludo Play area in Carrickfergus
Leisure Centre. They all reached the dizzy
heights of the play structure
and Pamela, as usual was
competing with them to
see who could go the
quickest.
The sign said
no over 11
year olds were
allowed on
the climbing
frames, but
we have the
evidence that
there were
a few people
trying it all out
who were “a wee
bit” older than that.
RBHSC Spina Bifida Clinic Survey
4. We had an amazing number of runners this
year in the Belfast Marathon. Our staff team of
Pamela, Dolores, Sandra and Bill and various
other members of their families also took part.
We now have a very ‘fit’ staff team. Thank you to
everyone who
took part.
We also had
family runners
in the Walled
City Marathon.
Sandra’s
brother, Martin
Bell and Tony
If you haven’t already joined us on facebook ‘like’ us today at www.facebook.com/shineUKcharity
Spina Bifida/Hydrocephalus
Awareness Week
We are starting our awareness week on
Saturday 19th October 2013, with the Ulster
Orchestra Event in St Mary’s College Derry/
Londonderry. We are currently planning
events in gyms/leisure centres throughout
Northern Ireland. If you have a particular link
with a gym or a leisure centre and would
like it included on our list, get in touch with
Cathy McKillop.
During awareness week we are running
Shine for an Hour. We are asking people to
donate one hour of their pay to us during the
week. The justgiving site is
www.justgiving/ShineforanHour
Looking For
Adventure and
Fun?
Shine is organising a week-end residential
on
4th -6th April 2014
for children between the ages of 10-16
and their families. Activities will include,
canoeing, archery, team challenges and
much more.
Further details of the venue etc. to follow.
Any interested parties please contact your
Support and Development Worker.
Fundraising round-up
Runners do it for Shine!
Contact details for Shine NI
Cathy McKillop, NI Director Shine
E: cathy.mckillop@shinecharity.org.uk
T: 07762574861
Marie McGonnell, Health Adviser
E: marie.mcgonnell@shinecharity.org.uk
T: 07789616420
Catherine McCurry, Education Adviser
E: catherine.mccurry@shinecharity.org.uk
T: 028 90 830382
Postal Address: Shine Northern Ireland,
PO Box 132, Cushendall BT44 OWA
First Contact T: 01733555988
Pamela Dickey E: pamela.dickey@shinecharity.org.uk
T: 028 25861820/07816966863
Sandra Campbell E: sandra.campbell@shinecharity.org.uk
T: 028 71359900/07789616451
Irene Kean E: irene.kean@shinecharity.org.uk
T: 028 90423067/07525965434
Dolores Black E: dolores.black@shinecharity.org.uk
T: 02890814116 /07816966866
Janet Davidson E: janet.davidson@shinecharity.org.uk
T: 028 40662868
Coyle both took part in that event.
The Richard Marshall Memorial event at the
Thatch Clay Shoot raised £3,052. Thank you
also to all the Craig Family who were involved
throughout the event.