The Orange Order is to give cancer sufferers a special Christmas
present this year - the biggest donation from a single organisation
ever received by Cancer Research N. Ireland.
The money was raised by Orange lodges throughout the Province
and the Irish border counties in response to the Grand Master's
year-long Charity Appeal launched in July 2002 with a target
of £100,000. Much of the cash came from collections
during the traditional Twelfth of July festivities as well
as a series of other events from dances to "music &
stew nights".
The final amount raised by the appeal will be revealed on
Thursday, 11 December when Dr Trevor Hince, Cancer Research's
Executive Director for Research Management and Planning, flies
to Northern Ireland to receive a cheque from the Orange Order's
Grand Master Robert Saulters.
The cheque presentation will take place at a special reception
at the Order's headquarters in East Belfast which will be
attended by civic dignitaries, leading medical professionals,
Cancer Research N. Ireland fund-raisers and senior Grand Lodge
officers.
Commenting on the appeal, Mr. Saulters said that the Order
had decided to support Cancer Research N. Ireland for a number
of reasons.
"Cancer is a terrible disease that can, and does, affect
everyone regardless of age, religion or political tradition.
We also wanted to challenge the myth that the Order is insular
and solely concerned with parading issues. As the biggest
Protestant voluntary group in Northern Ireland, the Order
remains totally committed to supporting the wider community
and determined to play a leading role in helping to improve
the quality of life for everyone in our Province.
"I am enormously proud of the enthusiasm and effort
that Orangemen have put in to this appeal and absolutely delighted
that all their hard work has resulted in such a magnificent
donation."
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