Ballymena construction firm raises £15,000 for NI Children’s Hospice

Some of the team of Martin & Hamilton Construction at their Ballymena head office handing over the cheque to Jessica Steele from Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice

A Ballymena construction company has helped deliver a significant boost for families facing some of life’s toughest challenges after raising £15,000 for Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice.

Martin & Hamilton Construction presented the cheque last week after naming Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice as its Charity of the Year for 2025, with staff across the business taking part in a series of fundraising events throughout the year.

The effort brought together employees from different sites and departments, combining workplace initiatives with large-scale public events to support a service that provides specialist palliative care to children and young people across Northern Ireland.

Among the activities organised were participation in the NI Hospice One Big Walk at Stormont, a Dragon Boat Race on the River Lagan, a Big Coffee Break held across company sites, and support for the Hospice Christmas Bucket Collection at local retail stores.

(L-R): Jessica Steele of NI Hospice receiving the cheque from Dominic McTague Commercial Director, Leanne Boyd Finance Director and David A Hamilton Managing Director on behalf of Martin & Hamilton

David Hamilton, Managing Director of Martin & Hamilton Construction, said the campaign had resonated strongly with the company’s workforce.

“Our team really got behind the charity support for NI Children’s Hospice this year. It’s been a great way for people from across different sites to come together for a great cause. The work the NI Children’s Hospice does for local families, including some of our own team, made it a really special cause.”

Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice welcomed the donation, highlighting the vital role community and business support plays in sustaining its services.

Jessica Steele, Corporate Relationship Manager at NI Hospice said:

“Thank you to the Martin & Hamilton team! It’s been great working with them and having them participate in our fundraising events this year. What a total they’ve raised!

“This amazing donation from the team at Martin & Hamilton will make such a difference for the children and the families who we care for, helping us to continue providing nursing care at home, supported short breaks at our In-Patient Unit, emergency care, end-of-life care, and family and bereavement support.

“It costs £5.26m to run Children’s Hospice each year, with more than 60% of that funding needing to be raised from community and business community support like this from Martin & Hamilton. It is only through this kind of generosity and public support that we can continue providing our essential services free of charge to families in need.”

Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice is the only service of its kind in Northern Ireland, providing specialist palliative care to more than 300 babies, children and young people living with life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses each year.

The charity delivers support both in families’ homes and through its in-patient unit, ensuring children and their families receive nursing care, respite support and compassionate end-of-life care when it is needed most.

For Martin & Hamilton Construction, the fundraising effort not only supported a critical service but also strengthened connections across its workforce — turning a year of community fundraising into tangible support for families across Northern Ireland.

At a glance

• Ballymena-based Martin & Hamilton Construction raised £15,000 for Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice.

• The charity was selected as the company’s Charity of the Year for 2025.

• Staff took part in fundraising events including the NI Hospice One Big Walk at Stormont, a Dragon Boat Race on the River Lagan, workplace coffee breaks and Christmas bucket collections.

• Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice provides specialist palliative care to over 300 babies, children and young people each year.

• The service costs £5.26 million annually to run, with more than 60% funded through community and business donations.

• The charity provides nursing care at home, short breaks at its in-patient unit, emergency care, end-of-life support and bereavement services for families.