Belfast City Marathon took place today, Sunday May 5th with over 19,000 participants, the largest ever in the history of the marathon. Of course the RVH Liver Support Group took part too with many members and supporters taking part in the full marathon the relay and the 8 mile walk. We were joined by many  members from the medical team from the Royal Victoria Hospital and we are very thankful for their support!!

Another successful coffee morning took place at the Woodlawn Garden Centre in Carryduff recently. We had over 20 patients come along providing lots of chat on their journeys and experiences. Look out for the next one!!

Yesterday our Group Chairman, Jim Kilpatrick, travelled with his family to Windsor Castle to be presented with his MBE by The Princess Royal, Princess Anne. Jim received his award for services to liver patients and their families in Northern Ireland.

Jim said “I was delighted to be here in Windsor Castle today with my family to receive my MBE from the Princess Royal, for services to liver patients across Northern Ireland. It’s not only a recognition of my personal work, but also all that the Liver Support Group does, and has done, for the past 26 years, which we are all very proud of.”

As a Group we are very proud of Jim and delighted that he has received his MBE as recognition for all the hard work that he does 💙

RVH Liver Support Group hosted yet another very successful coffee morning in the Mourne Country Hotel, Newry. The event, hosted by Kay and Arthur, two of the adult patient carers, was well attended and provided a great opportunity for patients to meet one another and forge new friendships.

As mentioned before, we will continue to support our patients by way of more of these informal gatherings throughout the Province. Keep an eye on our website and social media channels for updates.  A further two have already been organised; one for Apr 25th at The Woodlawn Garden Centre Carryduff and the second in The Everglades Hotel Derry/Londonderry on May 20th.

In March of 2024 one of our patients, William Howe, decided to climb to the top of Mount Olympus in Greece. In doing so he wanted to promote our Charity in a trailblazing way; and he certainly did just that!! And he stated the following :-

“As anyone who knows me is aware, I am not one for sitting around. In the last few years, I have had a variety of short stays in ‘Hotel 6D’, the Regional Liver Unit in the Royal Victoria Hospital plus, a full hip replacement last year.

In early March I decided to challenge myself and to reach the summit of Mt. Olympus, home of the gods.

My successful and speedy recovery was a direct result of the technical expertise of the Consultants & Doctors, the care and skill of the nursing staff, the camaraderie of fellow patients and the retro ice-lollies from the RVH Shop.

Dr. McCorry will know well from his marathon running, and something I have learned from 20 years of Alpine climbing, that you need both physical and mental strength to achieve your goal. As I was told many years ago “it’s in the head, more than the legs.” The RVH supported me with both.

William Howe

Mt. Olympus, Greece,

March 24^th”.

Kay and Arthur from the RVH Liver Support Group welcomed patients and carers from the Craigavon catchment area to a coffee morning in the Seagoe Hotel today. Pre and post transplant patients had the opportunity to meet each other and have conversations on their experiences.

The Liver Support Group will continue to organise more of these events around the country.

Thank you to Heather Halliday, Lady Captain at Shandon Park Golf Club, who held a competition day and raised £750 for the Group. Heather is pictured opposite with Group Chairman and Treasurer Jim Kilpatrick.

Thank you to Lucy Seaton who raised a fantastic £1361 for us after walking 15,000 steps every day during the month of October. Well done Lucy !!

Lucy presented her cheque to Group Chairman, Jim Kilpatrick, with her Dad, Peter, who is currently awaiting a liver transplant.