Councillor goes over the top for charity

Lisburn Councillor Johnny McCarthy has faced his fears and taken the plunge to raise money for a local animal charity.

Councillor McCarthy volunteered to abseil down the side of the Europa Hotel to raise vital funds for Lucy’s Trust, which rescues abandoned and unwanted dogs.

“Easier than I thought.” That was Councillor McCarthy’s response to conquering his fear of heights to complete his abseil off the Europa Hotel in Belfast.

“The only worrying part was when I had to sit on the edge and throw myself off the side. But they had already taken my wheelchair and brought it down to the bottom, so I had no choice.”

The NI21 Councillor raised over £600 for Lucy’s Trust, a dog charity that cares for the dogs that would be usually put down in the pound.

The money is being used to build a new run for the dogs, so that they have more space and also the ability to play together

“I really want to thank everybody for their donations,” continued Mr McCarthy. “I was worried I wouldn’t raise anything but £600 has really made a difference.

“The run is being built already and I hope the dogs will invite me down to play sometime soon.”

Councillor McCarthy wants to make this a yearly event and is looking for ideas for what he can do next.

“Next year has to be something even more remarkable than the abseil,” he said. “An ultra-marathon maybe or possibly a sky dive, but I am open to other ideas.

“I have already decided that I will be fundraising for Disability Sports NI next year but I will be looking for suggestions of charities for future years.”

Mr McCarthy also wished to thank everyone that helped with abseil from Belfast Activity Centre, who provided all the information and help he needed to complete the abseil safely.

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