As the accompanying song says “we light up the world” as indeed everyone who took part in the Marathon  2025 did. The RVH Liver Support Group team did themselves proud this year. We had liver consultant, Roger McCorry, complete the marathon whilst teams from the 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; 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.

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.

Our first coffee morning of 2025 took place in the Glenavon House Hotel, Cookstown on January 22nd.  On this occasion it was hosted by Kay and Ashley and was, as is the norm now, well attended. Right now we have provisional dates for many more coffee mornings and we will publish these dates, when fully confirmed, at a  later date.

The coffee morning project, which we started in 2024, has become a real success story and they are viewed as a real benefit to all liver patients. As said, we intend to build upon this success in 2025.

A few days ago Jim and Arthur from the RVH Liver Support Group delivered some cheer to all of the patients in ward 6D with the help of Sister Carol Harper.  Every year the charity, who help and support liver patients throughout N Ireland, visits the regional liver unit and gives a little gift bag to each and every patient who has to remain in hospital over Christmas.   “Its something that we love doing every Christmastime” says Arthur!

Carol was given the gift on New Year’s Eve  2023 and is so appreciative of that day. We had a coffee with her  and her family in the summer time and we mentioned that we give out Christmas gifts to all of the patients who have to remain in the liver unit over the Christmas period. She said ” let me think about something I can do to help”. Well, what a great idea and gift that Carol came up with . She bought Terrys chocolate oranges and knitted, yes knitted a little cover in the colours and shape of a Christmas pudding; a brown woollen bottom and a white top. She then finished this off by wrapping in Christmas paper and a red bow. You can see the finished result in the pictures opposite.

As said, we provide all of the patients in the ward a Christmas gift pack filled with goodies and if you have any ideas of what we could supply and would like to contribute that something special we would love to hear from you!!. Please email us at rvhlsg@gmail.com and put “Christmas gift idea” in the subject header line.

A Christmas mosaic class was held recently in Bangor for the Liver Support Group

The ladies made Christmas mosaic including robins , Christmas trees and Christmas bells .

A fun night was had by all including Christmas goodies of mulled wine , spiced apple juice , mince pies and chocolates and the sum of £330 was raised as a result. Well done to the ladies and thank you !!

Pictured is Steven O’Neill with RVHLSG Vice Chairman, Arthur Goan, who received a cheque for £3968.00 from a recent fundraising event in Dockers Club Belfast.

On behalf of the Liver Support Group we would like to say a big thank you to Steven and all of the O’Neill family as well as family relative, John McNaught for organising such a great event. We would also like to thank all of those who donated.

This years Christmas party was held on Saturday past and was hosted by Patricia and Rachel from the RVH Liver Support Group. Despite Storm Darragh it was well attended! Here are a few pictures of the event. Our thanks also go to Ashley from the RVHLSG Committee, who helped behind the scenes, and Sheelagh, Alison, Barbara and Kate on the day.