Staff and service users at Ardarragh Resource Centre in Downpatrick, recently hosted a raffle and raised an incredible £1670 in memory of Annette Jones, a service user who attended the centre and sadly passed away in December 2021.
The 1st prize of a ‘George Lowden Ed Sheeran’ designed acoustic guitar was kindly donated by Annette’s family. Annette had a passion for music and loved to experience new things. Her family, who live in Ballynahinch, wanted the gifted guitar to be used by Ardarragh Resource Centre as part of a raffle in order to raise money to allow the service users to experience new things in remembrance of Annette. The family wanted to give back to the centre to show appreciation to the staff for the care and support they provided Annette.
Other prizes kindly donated by the services users for the raffle included a luxury hamper won by Ago Howes and a beautiful hanging basket donated by Hollyview Horticulture Unit which was won by Hayley Anderson.
Day Care Worker, Diane Hanna-McKay is so appreciative of the support shown to the centre and commented, “I would like to thank everyone who kindly bought tickets and donated prizes to support our raffle, we are overwhelmed with the interest and support from everyone who purchased a ticket!
“The money raised will go back into our charity funds account and after speaking to Annette’s father, Victor, we are hoping to honour Annette by using part of the money raised to treat our service users to an experience such as a trip to the Zoo or to the Titanic Museum. Annette loved activities involving music and art, but she really just loved experiencing new things.
“For some of our service users, coming to the centre is their only social setting and getting to interact with others. Therefore, it is so vital for them to be able to make new memories and enjoy new experiences. We are so grateful to Annette’s family for making this wonderful donation and to show appreciation to the staff for the care they provided to Annette.”
The staff and service users of Ardarragh Resource Centre would like to thank everyone for their kind, generous and continued support.