Multi-gold medal-winning Paralympian Michael McKillop has been announced as an Ambassador of the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice – and the record-breaking athlete is now set to be equally successful in his new charity role.

The local specialised palliative care charity, the only one of its kind in Northern Ireland, is delighted to have Michael on board – not least because Michael’s appointment reinforces the Hospice’s community connections, with the local hero having been born and raised close to its In-Patient Unit at Horizon House.

Michael’s Ambassadorial role will see him help support the charity’s various fundraising campaigns and community outreach events, including Children’s Hospice Week, the Hospice Walks, the Festive 5k and Hospice’s Little Stars Appeal, among others.

Hospice Chief Operating Officer Martin Murphy with four time gold medal-winning Paralympian and new Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice Ambassador Michael McKillop

Speaking about his Ambassador role, Michael McKillop said: “The Children’s Hospice is my local charity in Newtownabbey, and I have always felt a close affinity with it – both with it as a special place, and also with its mission supporting the children with complex needs.

“This move to becoming an Ambassador feels like a ‘home run’, in every sense. Horizon House was always on my route when I was on training runs, so I passed this building regularly, and I have been inside its IPU before to meet the amazing children and display my medals. I have cerebral palsy and epilepsy, and because of my own health conditions, those visits only enhanced the connection and empathy I feel for the Little Stars cared for here.

“I also took part in last summer’s Hospice Hockey fundraising event, organised by the Belfast Giants’ Odyssey Trust. So I already have history with Hospice and now I’m proud to have been asked to take on this role by this amazing cause. I look forward to getting involved in raising awareness and vital funds in whatever way I can.”

Four time gold medal-winning Paralympian and new Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice Ambassador Michael McKillop, with Senior Healthcare Assistant Ashleigh Chambers and Staff Nurse Catherine Martin

Emma McManus, Care Team Manager at Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice, welcomed Michael to the team: “Michael has memorably visited Children’s Hospice before, after his heroics, to meet the Little Stars children and show them his four Paralympics gold medals – from the games in Beijing, London and Rio de Janeiro.

“So we are now absolutely thrilled to have Michael join us as an Ambassador. He’s a great fit for our charity, as a proud parent himself who really identifies with the children and their families, because of the challenges they face. He’s an inspiration. His passionate support will make a real difference to the lives of the children and families we care for.”

NI Children’s Hospice provides specialist care to children and young people with life-limiting illnesses across the region. As a new Ambassador, Michael will work to increase public understanding of children’s palliative care needs and help generate vital funds to ensure continued support for families throughout Northern Ireland.

For more information, visit www.nihospice.org

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