Anderson presents cheque to Pink Ladies

Martina Anderson MEP presenting a cheque for Â£1500 to Maureen Collins (left) and Michelle McLaren from the Pink Lades Cancer Charity at Bayview Terrace yesterday morning. The donation comes from Ian Paisley Jr as part of a settlement reached in defamation proceedings brought by the Sinn Fein MEP. DER3016GS34

Derry's Pink Ladies were yesterday presented with a cheque for Â£1,500 by Sinn Fein MEP, Martina Anderson.

The money was a donation made by DUP politican, Ian Paisley Junior as part of the settlement of a libel case.

Ms Anderson said she was delighted to be able to present the money to the well known Derry charity to enable it to continue its work in supporting women with cancer.

Speaking yesterday, she said: “The donation was paid by Ian Paisley in part to settle a defamation case I brought against him.

“It was announced last November that this donation was being made and now, eight months later, some good will come out of the matter as the Pink Ladies have received it. The Pink Ladies are an inspiration to people in Derry and further afield for their courage, determination and compassion and I am proud to be associated with them and will continue to support them in an way I can.”

Pink Ladies co-ordinator Maureen Collins said: “As ever, Martina Anderson, as an elected representative, be that, MLA, Junior Minister or MEP, has never forgotten the Pink Ladies and we are hugely grateful of that. This is a very large donation for us and will make a massive difference to the work we do here at the Pink Ladies.

“Martina is a local person and we are a local group and she has stood behind us every step of the way and never lets us down. It’s good to know that the work we do is valued.”