Cancer charity '˜Big Breakfast' makes it way to Dungiven

A local cancer charity group, which has raised close to £300,000 since it was formed 23 years ago, is hoping its latest fundraiser will attract strong support.
The Big Breakfast will be held on March 12.The Big Breakfast will be held on March 12.
The Big Breakfast will be held on March 12.

Chairperson of the Dungiven and Feeny Local Committee of Cancer Research UK, Anne Marie O’Hagan this weekend they are trying something new; a ‘Big Breakfast’.

“A lot of charities have these around this time of the year, but this is the first attempt at it by us,” she explained.

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“We hope people will come along on Saturday and show their support. People have always been so supportive so we hope that continues and we promise them a big hearty breakfast. We have enough sausages, bacon and bread for 300 people.”

Mrs O’Hagan said the staggering amount of money raised since the charity started is down to the generosity of the community, local businesses and the hard work of committee members.

Explaining what happens with the money they raise, she said: “We can ask for our money to stay locally and to be sent to Belfast and Altnagelvin, so it’s nice you have the local link. That money goes towards research and it is saving lives.”

Mrs O’Hagan is continually amazed at the generosity shown by people, especially in the local community.

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“The support from the public has been brilliant, and the committee wants to thank them very much for all they’ve done, and we urge them to keep giving because there isn’t a family that hasn’t been touched by cancer. It used to be one in three people get cancer in their lives. Now it’s one in two, but the difference is the survival rate is much higher than it was 20 or 30 years ago,” she said.

Mrs O’Hagan said people have continued to donate to the local charity, despite the hard times.

“It used to be hard raising money but, as the years went on, we’ve built up solid support,” said Mrs O’Hagan.

“We’re heading towards the £300,000, that’s how much we’ve raised since we started fundraising. When you think of it, it is amazing. Over two recent Saturdays in Dungiven we sold £2,150 worth of tickets for our car raffle. We thank O’Kane’s Filling Station, Brian’s Chip Shop and Lynch’s Spar for allowing us to sit outside their shops and selling tickets and the individuals who took books of tickets to sell for us.”

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The Big Breakfast is in the Church of Ireland Parish Hall on upper Main Street in Dungiven from 8am-2.30pm.

“We encourage people to come along and have breakfast and make a donation,” added Mrs O’Hagan.