News

This year our chosen charity was MENCAP, Northern Ireland’s leading learning disability charity.They were recently presented with a cheque for £8,700 to help them with their ongoing work on behalf of people with a learning disability.

Presenting the cheque, David Malcolm, Chairman of the NIRA paid tribute to both the fund raising efforts of his members and the work of MENCAP.

‘This year our appeal raised more than ever before, in fact it was nearly twice that raised last year. Our members donated match fees, organised collections, played exhibition games and ran in the Marathonto help raise this fantastic amount. MENCAP is a charity that is close to the heart of many of our members and the work they do to help people with a learning disability fully deserves our admiration and support’

Receiving the cheque, Máire Alexander, community fundraiser at MENCAP commented; I would like to say a huge thank you to the Referees Association for their continued  support over the last year.  We are delighted with the contribution their fundraising efforts has produced for Mencap.  Working with the Northern IrelandReferees has helped Mencap to raise awareness and understanding of learning disability across Northern Ireland. Fundraising events like those organized by the Northern Ireland Referees are vitally important in allowing Mencap to continue our work to make a difference for people with a learning disability here in Northern Ireland.     

Whilst the referees have now blown for full time on this years charity appeal, plans are already in place to support a new charity appeal in 2010, showing that despite rumours to the contrary, referees do have a compassionate side!