Mayor names his chosen charity

Based within the council area, at Carryduff, the newly announced mayoral charity is dedicated to the support of premature babies and their families across Northern Ireland.

It offers a variety of help and practical expertise, advice and support.

The UUP’s Councillor Brian Bloomfield made his announcement on Tuesday, at his first full council meeting as Mayor.

His fellow councillors welcomed the news as Mr Bloomfield asked for support from all his colleagues in his fund-raising efforts for TinyLife.

The Mayor outlined why he chose TinyLife as his charity.

“The arrival of a new baby is a most wonderful time for both the parents and the extended family,” he said. “I know from first-hand knowledge when that baby is born prematurely life can suddenly become very difficult and full of uncertainty.

“My grandson was born eight weeks prematurely and this was a very stressful and worrying time for all the family, particularly, of course, for his mother and father.

“Having seen the support TinyLife provided to my daughter and son-in-law, as it does for many families, I am absolutely delighted to be working with the charity in my role as Mayor.

“As well as raising funds for its essential work, I hope that we can raise the profile of TinyLife locally. Each day in Northern Ireland six babies are born too soon.

“Thankfully my grandson is fit and well and as a family we are grateful to TinyLife for all its help.”

TinyLife offers a wide range of support services to families who have experienced premature birth or the birth of a baby requiring special care or intensive care.

These include hospital-based support, home-based volunteer programme, baby massage sensory room baby physio gym (currently being piloted).

If you are interested in helping with fundraising for TinyLife or contributing to the Mayor’s Charity you are asked to contact the Mayor’s Secretary on 028 92 50 9331 or email mayor’[email protected]