On Saturday November 26, the Lurgan Action Cancer Group will start the festive season in style with their spectacular and renowned Christmas Craft Fair from 10am – 3pm.
Set in the stunning surrounds of Brownlow House, the Christmas Craft Fair, now in its 3rd year, is co-ordinated by local volunteer fundraisers and all monies raised go towards Action Cancer’s local cancer support services that take place in Lurgan’s Zion House.
Action Cancer Lurgan Group Secretary, Eleanor Hamilton, said: “We are absolutely delighted to bring back the Action Cancer Christmas Craft fair in such a stunning setting and right on our doorstep. The money raised will go towards maintaining the existing support services that Action Cancer currently provide in the town.
“I helped to set up the Lurgan Action Cancer Group with 2 other volunteers back in March 2019 and since then, thanks to the extremely generous support of local community, we have been raised a phenomenal £12,000 for the charity so far.
“Action Cancer offers screening to women aged 40-49 and over 70, the ages not currently screened by the NHS. I recently turned 70 myself so to know that this vital life-saving service, free to the user, is available to people my age and older creates such peace of mind which is priceless.
Action Cancer Lurgan Group Secretary, Eleanor Hamilton.
“One in two of us will get cancer in our lifetime, which is a shocking statistic so the services provided by Action Cancer are needed more than ever.”
Jayne Magee, Chair of the Lurgan Group, said: “We always have such an amazing time at Brownlow House with our Christmas Fair, it really is fast becoming a Lurgan tradition in the lead up to Christmas.
“This year we will have over 25 crafters & vendors from across the country presenting their specialties and it really will be the perfect opportunity to buy a unique handmade gift or to treat yourself to something really beautiful.
“I would encourage everyone to come along and join in the fun and at the same time support Action Cancer Lurgan and help to make a real positive difference to local people with a cancer diagnosis.”
The price of entry to the event is a recommended donation of £5 (children go free) and everyone who attends will be entered into a draw for an overnight stay at the Grand Central Hotel, Belfast.
There will be fun for the whole family with face painters and Santa himself, who will be paying a visit from 12pm to 2pm. Music will be supplied by the fantastic Strings and Sings who will be in fine festive voice and the Brownlow House Tearoom will be open as usual so you can treat yourself to some lunch after you shop.
Every year, Action Cancer aims to breast screen 8,000 women at Action Cancer House and on board the Big Bus, supported by SuperValu and Centra. For every 1,000 women screened, an average of six breast cancers are detected – hopefully at an early and treatable stage.
This is only possible because of the continued, generous support Action Cancer receives from the general public and local business community in Northern Ireland. The charity needs your support now more than ever to continue with the work and help save lives.
Action Cancer’s Big Bus has visited the ABC council area 114 times in the last five years bringing potentially lifesaving breast screening and M.O.T health check appointments to local residents.
Action Cancer Lurgan Group Secretary, Eleanor Hamilton.
Action Cancer currently provide therapy sessions in Lurgan at Mount Zion House, and these complementary therapy services are for children and young people (aged 5+) and adults affected by cancer living in Lurgan.
Any adult or child who has had a cancer diagnosis themselves or has been affected through a close relative’s diagnosis can avail of this free service. All of Action Cancer services are free of charge to the user and so are only possible due to fundraising income generated by local supporters.
Community Groups Executive, Mark Irwin-Watson, said: “We are delighted to bring back the Lurgan Christmas Craft Fair for another year. We are very grateful to Brownlow House and namely David Martin, who has been such a support to Action Cancer with the Fair and also hosting to the Action Cancer Big Bus.
“If anyone would like to join the Lurgan Action Cancer Community Group or volunteer at the Christmas Fair on November 26, please contact Mark Irwin-Watson on 028 9080 3344, or email mirwin-watson@actioncancer.org.”
