NEWS

Gillian Robinson, chief executive of Women’s Aid, Arlene Creighton, Women’s Aid, and Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick Saturday 07 November 2026 New pyjamas are being collected across Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough to bring comfort to women and children affected by domestic abuse this Christmas, following donations of more than 900 pairs last year. The Women’s Aid ABCLN Christmas Pyjama Appeal supports families living in refuge accommodation and those receiving help in the communi

Debbie Chestnut of Good Morning Ballymena receives the Social Enterprise of the Year Award from James Perry MBE of the Ballymena Business Centre. Tuesday 27 October 2026 A Ballymena organisation helping older people overcome loneliness and isolation has been recognised for its contribution to the local community, winning the Best Social Enterprise Award at the 2026 Ballymena Business Awards. Good Morning Ballymena received the award, sponsored by Ballymena Business Centre, at

Willie Gregg presents a cheque to Stephen Watson from the NI Children's Kidney Fund. The presentation coincided with the seventh anniversary of Stephen's kidney transplant. Tuesday 27 October 2026 Three Northern Ireland charities supporting children with serious illnesses, families facing difficult circumstances and people experiencing mental health challenges have benefited from the generosity of those who supported Wee Joan’s Dog Walk. Willie Gregg presented cheques to repr

Northern Trust District Nurse Emma Griffin Friday 23 October 2026 A district nurse from the Northern Health and Social Care Trust has received a heartfelt tribute from a patient’s family for the compassion, dignity and reassurance she provided while caring for their loved one at the end of their life. Emma Griffin, a member of the Trust’s Newtownabbey district nursing team, was praised for going above and beyond to build a trusting relationship with her patient, helping them

Well-known Ballymena man Lee Agnew sadly passed away over the weekend Monday 19 October 2026 Lee Agnew was preparing to take an important step towards overcoming drug addiction — an 11-month rehabilitation programme that offered hope of a new chapter in his life. Tragically, Lee passed away on Sunday night, 18 October, before he could begin that journey, leaving his family, friends and Ballymena church community heartbroken at the loss of a man remembered for his beautiful he

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Cllr Thomas Gordon is pictured with staff and volunteers during a visit to Vincent’s to learn about the work of the Society of St Vincent de Paul in Ballymena and the need for more volunteers to join SVP. Saturday 10 October 2026 People in Ballymena are being encouraged to give a few hours of their time to help neighbours facing poverty, hardship and social isolation, as the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) launches a new volunt

Charlie, a therapy dog who makes weekly visits to the Macmillan Unit at Antrim Area Hospital, pictured with his owner Ivan. Saturday 10 October 2026 Eight-year-old collie Charlie has been recognised for bringing comfort and companionship to patients receiving cancer care at Antrim Area Hospital, as the Northern Health and Social Care Trust appeals for more dogs, cats and their owners to join its volunteering programme. Charlie and his owner Ivan make weekly visits to the hosp

Tuesday 29 September 2026 Farmers across Northern Ireland could receive support to restore wildlife habitats together under a new scheme planning to fund up to ten projects, each potentially involving up to 50 farmers and land managers. The Farming with Nature Landscape Projects Scheme will open for proposals on Monday 9 November, with applications closing at 5pm on Friday 4 December 2026. The aim is to connect and improve habitats across farm boundaries, tackling environment

Dr Janet Gray MBE is a world class athlete and four-time winner of the World Disabled Water Ski Championships Saturday 26 September 2026 The chair of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust’s Organ Donation Committee has highlighted the need for more cornea donors to come forward. Dr Janet Gray MBE raised the issue at a meeting of the Northern Trust board at Antrim Area Hospital on Thursday, saying cornea donations remain “very low”. ‘Wonderful gift of sight’ Dr Gray, who i

Anne Irwin, Regional President; Mary Waide, National Vice President; and Anne McLarnon, Regional Vice President; are pictured at the launch of a volunteer recruitment campaign which aims to encourage people from across the Region to join the Society and make a difference in their local communities. Friday 18 September 2026 People across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to give some of their time to supporting people and families experiencing poverty and social exclusion,

Team Harryville Primary School ahead of their Dragon Boat Race challenge this weekend. Staff from Harryville Primary School in Ballymena have raised more than £2,500 so far for Northern Ireland Hospice — with donations still coming in ahead of their Dragon Boat challenge on the River Lagan this weekend. The school team will take to the water in Belfast on Saturday, September 19, as part of the charity’s Dragon Boat Race, joining teams from businesses, clubs and organisations

A previous Wee Joan’s Charity Dog Walk makes its way along Portrush’s West Strand. The popular event returns this Sunday, raising funds for Willie’s Orphan Fund, Children to Lapland and Children’s Kidney Fund NI. A previous Wee Joan’s Charity Dog Walk makes its way along Portrush’s West Strand. The popular event returns this Sunday, raising funds for Willie’s Orphan Fund, Children to Lapland and Children’s Kidney Hundreds of paws are expected to hit the sand in Portrush this

David pictured with his Dad, who he is his named after. David Clarke was just 21 when he began to understand that the father who had spent his life looking after him was slowly going to need his son to do the same for him. Almost 14 years later, dementia has taken conversations, memories and many of the ordinary moments they once shared — but it has never taken the bond between them. “Memories may fade but love remains,” David says. Now, after years in which the experience fe

Women’s Aid Retail Manager, Michelle McIlwrath , Director of Finance Karen McConkey and CEO, Gillian Robinson. (Images: Danielle Kernohan Photography) A new Women’s Aid shop has opened in Ballymena, with every purchase helping to fund specialist support for women and children experiencing domestic abuse in the local area. The new premises at 23–25 Henry Street are the third retail outlet operated by Women’s Aid ABCLN and will also provide a place where women can access inform

Local Cool FM presenters Pete Snodden, Rebecca McKinney and Paulo Ross ahead of their epic challenge of cycling from Paris to Banbridge in aid of Cash for Kids with the target of raising at least £100k to help disadvantaged children across Northern Ireland. Cool FM Breakfast presenters Pete Snodden, Rebecca McKinney and Paulo Ross are swapping the studio for the saddle as they take on an extraordinary 800-mile cycling challenge to raise more than £100,000 for children and you

Stephen Lynn, retail director at Specsavers Ballymena is pictured with Alex Patterson and his guide dog, Angus, alongside Guide Dogs NI volunteer, Viv Carson. Stephen Lynn is fundraising for the charity ahead of the Belfast Half Marathon. A Ballymena optician is swapping the testing room for running shoes this month as he prepares to tackle 13.1 miles in support of people living with sight loss across Northern Ireland. Stephen Lynn, retail director at Specsavers Ballymena, wi

A Carnlough mum who had already left for work when she heard a bang and decided to turn back has described the terrifying moments she discovered her home on fire — with her daughter and partner still asleep upstairs. Mandy Abram had walked down the path from her home at around 7.20am on Wednesday 26 August when she heard what she initially thought was a car backfiring. There was nobody around. Something, she says, told her to go back. Moments later, Mandy was inside desperate

Jon Burrows MLA pictured with Good Morning Ballymena volunteers at their office on Queen Street A Ballymena service is making more than 700 telephone calls every week, providing companionship, reassurance and a vital point of contact for people who may be living alone, experiencing poor health or feeling isolated. Around 40 volunteers are behind the calls from Good Morning Ballymena, offering members a friendly voice and listening ear while also helping connect people with ac

Adrian and Nicci Stewart, foster carers with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust More foster families are urgently needed across the Northern Trust area as growing numbers of children require somewhere safe and supportive to call home — whether for a single night or for several years. For Adrian and Nicci Stewart, answering that need has meant welcoming more than 22 children through their front door in just six years. The couple have cared for newborn babies, toddlers a

Cyclists from across Northern Ireland are being invited to take on one of the region’s most scenic charity rides next weekend, with every mile helping to raise money for people affected by dementia. The Bann Valley Road Club Tour of the Glens Charity Sportive, supported by Clarke, returns on Saturday 15 August, offering riders the choice of 40-mile or 60-mile routes through the spectacular Glens of Antrim. With all proceeds going to Alzheimer’s Society Northern Ireland, organ