Former mayor raises £81,205 for diabetes

Former Mayor of Lisburn, Councillor Margaret Tolerton is pictured with members of her Charity Committee as she presents her fundraising cheque of £81,205.99 to Hilda Francy and Dr Au of her Mayoral Charity, The Lagan Valley Diabetes Fund.

A reception was hosted by the current Mayor, Councillor Andrew Ewing, at Lagan Valley Island where Councillor Tolerton presented the cheque and her very best wishes for the future to the staff of The Lagan Valley Diabetes Fund.

This local charity based with the Lagan Valley Hospital will use this generous sum to assist diabetics in the Lisburn area.

Councillor Tolerton, speaking about her charity, said: “I am humbled by the final total of money raised for my chosen mayoral charity.

“The generosity of Lisburn residents, friends and family has helped to provide much needed equipment to local diabetics.

“I chose this charity so that equipment that is not available from the Trust can be purchased to make a real difference to the lives of diabetics.

“These include talking scales and insulin pumps for the visually impaired and new patch technology that allows a diabetic’s insulin levels to be determined by a mobile device being swiped over the patch.

“Whilst new it is anticipated that this new technology will become more cost effective than the traditional testing strips currently used by diabetics and would be preferable as no fingers need to be pricked by a needle.

“I would like to take this opportunity to offer my sincere thanks and gratitude to everyone who assisted my charity either by donating money or time; you have all helped to ease the life of Lisburn diabetics,” said Councillor Tolerton.

Present at the charity cheque handover was Sean Larkin from Fairstone Northern Ireland who raised a significant total of £1,000 by running the Mourne Way Marathon.

Councillor Tolerton will work with the charity to ensure that as many diabetics can avail of the benefits of this money over the coming years.