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01/02/2022 14:32:00
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Northern Ireland Club - February News

There was an excellent turnout of members, friends and guests at Holstein Northern Ireland’s 22nd annual dinner and presentation of awards, held in Ballymena.

Club chairman Iain McLean extended a warm welcome. “We didn’t have a dinner last year due to the pandemic, but I am very pleased that we were able to host the event this year. I’d like to welcome our guests, and thank everyone who has made the effort to support the dinner.

Guests included Holstein UK president John Jamieson, and his wife Helen, from Dumfries; Irish Holstein Friesian Association president PJ Kelly, and his wife Anne, from County Westmeath; and Holstein NI president James Walker, and his wife Margaret.

During his address Iain McLean outlined that the club was going from strength-to-strength. “It is encouraging to note that a dozen new members have joined Holstein NI since September.”

He went on to give a resume of the club’s activities throughout the year.

Amy Reynolds from Friends of the Cancer Centre, and Brian Madden from Teen Challenge Belfast, attended the dinner and were delighted to receive cheques for £14,250 each. Both spoke briefly about the charities they represent, and expressed their gratitude for Holstein NI’s generous donation. The money was raised at the club’s inaugural online charity auction, held in conjunction with a BBQ to present the awards for the annual Herds Inspection Competition.

Guest speaker for the evening was David Radcliffe from North Antrim, who talked about his life and battle with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a very rare type of cancerous tumour affecting bones and surrounding soft tissue. He is a fund raiser for the Boom Foundation, a charity founded in 2013 which supports patients diagnosed with the disease, and their families.

The Matthews family from the Lisnasure Herd donated an artisan food hamper. Proceeds from a guess the value of the hamper competition, and the raffle, raised £1,560 for the Boom Foundation. The winner of the hamper was John Barkley from Ballymena.

Iain McLean concluded by thanking the Matthews family, and everyone who donated prizes for the raffle.