Former Ireland and Ulster rugby player Craig Gilroy has officially opened Northern Ireland Hospice’s new Cregagh Road charity shop.

Former Ireland and Ulster rugby player Craig Gilroy returned to East Belfast, the scene of many of his sporting triumphs, to officially open Northern Ireland Hospice’s new Cregagh Road charity shop.

Craig, who was recently announced as a Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice Ambassador, cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony before joining the shop’s staff and volunteers to welcome customers.

Hilary Mills, volunteer; Deirdre McAnulty, volunteer; Fiona Berkowski, Regional Manager; Cameron Gallagher, volunteer; Craig Gilroy, Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice Ambassador; Courtney Hagans, Retail Support Manager; Margaret Burnett, volunteer; Alan Kennedy, NI Hospice’s Head of Retail; and Lorna Mackay, Manager of the new Cregagh Road Hospice shop.

The new shop offers a wide range of quality pre-loved items including designer and vintage clothing, fashion accessories, homewares, books – and more. With a focus on sustainability and affordability, the Cregagh Road shop gives local residents the chance to bag a bargain while supporting Hospice’s vital work in providing specialist palliative care across the region.

Speaking at the opening, Craig Gilroy said: “I’m honoured to be here today to officially open the new Northern Ireland Hospice shop on Cregagh Road. As well as meeting the shop’s staff and volunteers, I was delighted to meet local customers too.

“I know that Hospice does such amazing work for patients and families in the local area, whose quality of life and dignity benefits hugely through its palliative care expertise. I have already seen for myself the truly inspiring work the Hospice does for children with life-limiting illnesses, so I’m proud to support this cause in any way I can, including cutting the ribbon to open this shop today. Every item donated here, every purchase made, and every hour volunteered helps make a difference to families in need of care and support.”

Alan Kennedy, NI Hospice’s Head of Retail; Courtney Hagans, Retail Support Manager; Lindsay Collins, Shop Supervisor; Lorna Mackay, Manager of the new Cregagh Road Hospice shop; with volunteers Margaret Burnett; Hilary Mills; and Cameron Gallagher.

Alan Kennedy, NI Hospice’s Head of Retail, said: “The new shop will serve as both a community hub and a fundraising lifeline for the Hospice, which relies heavily on public support to continue delivering its compassionate end-of-life care for local families.

“In the past year alone, Hospice provided care to 253 adults from the East Belfast area – both at home and in the In-Patient Unit at Somerton House – as well as supported 18 local children and their families, who spent a total of 89 nights at Horizon House, the Children’s Hospice.”

Lorna Mackay, Manager of the new Cregagh Road Hospice shop, encouraged local involvement: “We’re really excited to open our doors and become even more of a part of this vibrant community. In addition to welcoming shoppers, we are actively seeking donations of good-quality, pre-loved items, and we are also calling on the local community to volunteer their time in-store. It’s a real team effort to raise essential funds for Hospice care for local families, and we’d love as many people as possible to get involved.”

If you would like to donate items or volunteer your time in-store, visit the Cregagh Road Hospice shop at 18 Cregagh Road, Belfast BT6 9EP or call 028 9079 3149. The shop is open Monday to Friday from 9.30am-5pm, and Saturday 9.30am to 4.30pm.

Craig Gilroy, Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice Ambassador; with Hospice Retail staff (from l-r) Courtney Hagans, Retail Support Manager; Lorna Mackay, Manager of the new Cregagh Road Hospice shop; and Fiona Berkowski, Regional Manager.

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