Local SPAR team Think Pink for much loved colleague, Nikole
When Nikole McIntyre was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer in September 2020, she knew she could count on her colleagues at SPAR Viking Lodge in Larne to help her and others going through treatment.
The team created the Think Pink Month in store, where they held various activities to raise funds from the Think Pink Day where £50 MAXOL vouchers were raffled off, to a sponsored walk organised by Nikole’s colleague Fiona McMurran.
In total, the inspiring team raised £800, £500 of which has been donated to Hope House Ireland in Islandmagee which provides rest and rehabilitation breaks for cancer patients. The rest of the donations have gone to Nikole to help with her post-surgery recovery.
Chris Currie, store manager commented; “Nikole being diagnosed in the middle of a pandemic really brought home how important that extra care is for Nikole and other patients and I am just so proud of how the team has come together to achieve such a great result.
“Fiona has fibromyalgia, so to organise a sponsored walk along the coast to the shop is really inspiring. We are wishing Nikole well in her recovery and looking forward to welcoming her back to work when she can.”
Nikole added; “To know I had my team behind me has given me a boost and made me so determined to get back to work as soon as possible. So much has changed during my diagnosis but for my friends at work to help us financially, as well as donating to such an important facility as Hope House, has kept me positive.”
The team got together with Nikole recently and presented the fundraising cheque to Dawn McConnell, founder of Hope House outside the Viking Lodge store.
Dawn McConnell from Hope House commented; “We get blown away when people are able to go out of their way to fundraise for us, especially when it is difficult with restrictions. We rely on donations such as the teams to keep our facility running and provide that extra care cancer patients need for some rest and rehabilitation. We’re so grateful and wish Nikole all the best with her continued recovery.”
