Well done to Maurarose Gruhn, who proudly took part in the Women’s Belfast City 10K at Titanic Quarter to mark her father-in-law Chris Gruhn’s 10th Liverversary and raise vital funds for the Group. She was joined by Committee member Sharon Millen, who is currently in training for the World Transplant Games in Dresden this August.
Pictured is Arthur Goan, RVHLSG Patient Care, along with Ward 6D Sister Carol and Pharmacist Alvin accepting two new recliner chairs for the patients and families using 6D. Also in the picture, testing them, out are ward nurses Lisa and Reshma. They did comment that they could have a sleep on them 😊.
The two recliners (with a third currently on order) are designed and made by a furniture manufacturer in the UK who are an NHS approved supplier which is very important. The chairs are finished in a warm uplifting terracotta colour and are upholstered using a special wipe clean material.
The RVH Liver Support Group hopes that they will be a great comfort to patients and family members using them.
The June Coffee Morning was held in the @burrendalehotel in Newcastle. Great to see both old friends and new faces along to enjoy the delicious scones on offer. The craic was mighty, with medical mishaps and holiday tales among some of the topics discussed.
The next one is in Fortwilliam Golf Club on Wednesday 2nd July at 10.00am.
Sharon and Jim were delighted to represent the Group at the @belfasttrust Volunteer Recognition Event held in the wonderful Great Hall at @qubelfast. This is an occasion for the Trust to show their appreciation for everything volunteers contribute to those under the Trust’s care.
Once again, thank you so much for everyone who turned up at the Everglades coffee morning organised by the RVH Liver Support Group and hosted by Ashley and Arthur, both committee members.
It turned out such a beautiful day for the event and it was an opportunity to catch up with old friends and indeed, as was the case on Thursday, to make new ones!!
We would like to remind folks that these coffee mornings are for ALL liver patients irrespective of the liver condition or its cause. We welcome and indeed want to see as many people attend as possible. We would also like to emphasise that you do not have to come alone; in fact we do not want you to come alone. You are most welcome to bring a family member or indeed a friend along with you.
Our next coffee morning will be in the Burrendale Hotel (Newcastle) on June 4th starting at 10.00 am.
As the accompanying song says, “we light up the world” and indeed each and every person who took part in the Moy Park Belfast City Marathon 2025 did just that whether it be the organisers, the many marshals, the beverage suppliers along the routes and all of the marathon runners, relay runners and walkers.. The RVH Liver Support Group team did themselves proud this year. The entire route was awash with sky blue t-shirts!! We had one of our liver consultants, Dr Roger McCorry (and a big thank you to him) , complete the marathon whilst doctors from Ward 6D and specialist liver nurses completed the relay with committee member Sharon Millen. And, if that wasn’t enough, we had committee members Ashley Collins and Arthur Goan heading up the many 8 mile walkers; made up of both patients and family members alike. A big congratulations to everyone!!
For 2026 we have already “booked” 7 relay teams and will be looking to increase the total amount of 8 mile walkers to 50. We look to anyone who feels fit and able to join with us in making 2026 even better.
Our second coffee morning of the year was held in the Seagoe Hotel Craigavon on April 8th. It was another successful event with many patients coming along for a chat, coffee and scone!!
Our next coffee morning will be at the Everglades Hotel Derry/LDerry on May 8th from 10am to 12:30pm.
On Sunday 23rd March, the RVH Liver Support Group, alongside transplant charities from across Northern Ireland, came together to celebrate the relaunch of the New Life Gardens at Botanic Gardens, Belfast, and Kiltonga Hall, Newtownards — two special spaces dedicated to honouring the incredible gift of organ and stem cell donation.
We were deeply honoured to be joined at both events by Denis & Martina Goggin, creators of the National Circle of Life Organ Donor Memorial in Salthill, Galway. Following the heartbreaking loss of their son Éamonn, who became an organ donor, Denis and Martina have continued to share his legacy through powerful symbols of remembrance:
🕯 The Candle of Remembrance which was gifted to Belfast city from Galway in 2016 is placed in herbaceous borders, Botanic Gardens
🪨 The NIKPA 25th Anniversary Stone (2017), located at Kiltonga, Newtownards
Both events featured an inspiring lineup of speakers. The Botanic event was hosted by committee member Sharon Millen, while the Kiltonga cermony was led by William Johnston (NIKPA, Renal Arts Group QUB).
We shared moments of reflection, gratitude, and celebration, hearing from transplant recipients, donor families, and advocates whose stories touched every heart in attendance. 🌟
These gardens are more than memorials — they are spaces of peace, gratitude, and hope. They remind us of the importance of organ donation and the need to share our wishes with loved ones.
We look forward to building even stronger connections between organ donation communities across the north and south of Ireland, united by compassion, remembrance, and the celebration of life 💚
Pictured is Chrissy Harbinson (left) who organised the recent darts competition and raised the fantastic amount of £1735 for the RVH Liver Support Group. Pictured (centre) is committee member Ashley Collins accepting the cheque along with Martina Woods (right) who sadly lost her husband Rory.
