Christmas baubles and candy canes adorned the entrance and corridors of Lisburn’s Primary Care and Community Centre (LPCCC) which signalled the much-anticipated Christmas Door Competition and coffee fundraising morning.
The artistic talents of our staff in Children’s Services were proudly displayed as handmade Advent calendars, Harry Potter and Wicked themed staff offices’ doors welcomed children, their families and visitors, with the winner chosen by South Eastern Trust Chief Executive Roisin Coulter.
The chosen charity for this year’s event was B Positive, established by nine-year-old Adam Watson and his parents Sara and David. Adam was diagnosed with AML (Acute Myeloid Leukaemia) in 2019 aged seven. Mum Sara spoke movingly about her beautiful, brave boy who lost his battle with the illness on 3 August 2022 and how, through his charity, his legacy of hope and positivity continues by supporting children and families undergoing cancer treatment.
Sara, shared how much of an “honour” it was that B Positive had been chosen as the Children’s Services charity for 2025.
“Through B Positive, we support children with cancer in Northern Ireland. It is estimated that there are 70-80 children diagnosed with cancer every year. We provide each and every family who are on the Haematology and Oncology wards with a bespoke suitcase containing a toiletry bag, soft, star shaped cushion, UNO cards and a pack of five, which was Adam’s favourite number, towels. A case of life essentials which you don’t realise how much you need until you are in that position.”
Sara explained how donations to B Positive means they are able to give out around 80 cases a year and, “We also provide vouchers to the children on the ward, be it Nintendo, Roblox or vouchers for Just Eat as a wee pick me up. We also provide sensory equipment and help to fund counselling sessions for Nurses.”.
Explaining how they chose the name for the charity, Sara detailed how Adam underwent an umbilical cord transplant in May 2021, “It was this transplant from a baby girl that changed his blood group from O Positive to B Positive. Adam had a vision and he wanted to help others. It is an honour to be Adam’s mummy and be part of this charity and share his story with the staff from Children’s Services.”
South Eastern Trust Chief Executive Roisin Coulter described the chance to meet Sara and hear Adam’s story as a “genuine privilege.”
“The coffee morning is a chance for our staff to give something back to an important charity such as B Positive. I am delighted to be part of the Christmas celebrations here at Lisburn Primary Care Centre and to be judging the doors competition.
“It is unbelievable to see the time and effort that has gone into creating the corridors. They are full of colour and Christmas cheer. The Christmas spirit is alive and thriving in Lisburn and in our Children’s Health and Services department.
“It has been lovely to meet Adam’s Mum Sara and to hear her story and to try and offer any support that our Trust can.”
Children and Young People’s ASD Service General Secretary Gary Martin praised the efforts of staff in creating a winter wonderland for the children attending their appointments and the warm welcome given to Sara.
“Our donations have already exceeded £1,000 for B Positive, with funds still to be counted. It is our highest ever total. The response from our staff has been amazing. They have worked so hard at home to create these amazing door displays. The teams have come in early and stayed late at night to create these fantastic doors. We are now in our seventh year of this initiative and we were very fortunate to have Sara with us to hear about Adam and the incredible work of B Positive.”