‘Caring for people by caring for their pets’: Rosie’s Trust celebrates decade milestone at Stormont

L-R: Junior Minister, Aisling Reilly MLA, joins Rosie’s Trust celebrity ambassador, James Nesbitt, and Chair, Aileen Martin, together with deputy First Minister, Emma Little-Pengelly, at Parliament Buildings for a special celebration to mark the charity’s tenth anniversary.

Rosie’s Trust, Northern Ireland’s only charity dedicated to caring for people by caring for their pets, has marked its tenth anniversary by honouring its longest-serving volunteers at a special celebration in Parliament Buildings.

The milestone event, held in the Long Gallery at Stormont, brought together volunteers, staff, beneficiaries and political representatives to recognise those who have given a decade of service to the charity since its founding in 2015.

Over the past ten years, Rosie’s Trust has grown into a vital support network for some of the most isolated and vulnerable people in communities across Northern Ireland.

Through its services for cancer patients, older people aged 65 and over with mobility issues, and those receiving end-of-life care, the charity enables people to remain at home with their beloved pets at times of illness, frailty and loss.

L-R: 10-year volunteers, Peter Crozier, Lynda Crozier and Ian Brown, have been with Rosie’s Trust since it was founded by nurse Bronagh O’Neill.

Today, more than 200 volunteers deliver practical and emotional support, ensuring that beneficiaries are not forced to give up their pets – often their only source of companionship – because of declining health or personal circumstances.

The anniversary celebration was attended by deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, Junior Minister Aisling Reilly MLA, and event sponsor David Honeyford MLA. Also present were Minister of Agriculture Andrew Muir, John Blair MLA, Chair of the All-Party Group for Animal Welfare, along with a cross-party group of MLAs including Mark Durkan, Colin McGrath, Jonathan Buckley, Patsy McGlone, Diane Forsythe, Daniel McCrossan, Justin McNulty and Councillor Lauren Kendall.

Rosie’s Trust’s newest celebrity ambassador, actor James Nesbitt OBE, joined the gathering to present special trophies to volunteers who have served the charity for ten years, recognising their long-standing commitment and compassion.

L-R: Long-serving volunteers, Olivia Crookes and Anne Tweed, are pictured with Rosie’s Trust Operations Manager, Jayne McStay

Chair of Rosie’s Trust, Aileen Martin, paid tribute to the volunteers’ impact on people’s lives.

“Over the past ten years, our volunteers have provided thousands of hours of practical and emotional support for people and their pets, and ensured that our beneficiaries don’t have to face the heartbreak of giving up their pet because they are facing illness or older age.

“The majority of our beneficiaries live alone and their pets are their sole source of companionship and support.

“We wanted to celebrate and acknowledge our volunteers’ dedication, including those who have been with the charity since it was founded by nurse Bronagh O’Neill. Their kindess and commitment has changed the lives of so many and has kept people and their pets together when they have needed each other the most.

“Thank you to everyone who joined us to mark this significant milestone for our charity with a special mention to our event sponsor, David Honeyford MLA.”

L-R: Newly announced celebrity ambassador for Rosie’s Trust, James Nesbitt, is pictured with event sponsor, David Honeyford MLA.

Event sponsor David Honeyford MLA described Rosie’s Trust as a unique service that supports wellbeing throughout the year.

“Congratulations to Rosie’s Trust on its tenth anniversary, and to all of the charity’s volunteers who are helping people facing difficult times to keep their pets by their side. It is a unique service which is supporting the health and well-being of people in Northern Ireland 365 days of the year.”

Speaking at the event, James Nesbitt said he was proud to be associated with the charity and its work.

“It is a privilege to be involved with a local charity that is supporting some of the most vulnerable people in Northern Ireland.

“I have enjoyed meeting the volunteers from over the past decade who have made Rosie’s Trust the special organisation that it is, and I look forward to playing my part in spreading awareness of the charity and its support services.”

L-R: David Honeyford MLA with Rosie’s Trust Chair, Aileen Martin, and Minister of Agriculture, Andrew Muir, mark 10 years of caring for people by caring for their pets.

As Rosie’s Trust enters its second decade, the charity says its volunteers remain at the heart of its mission – keeping people and their pets together at some of the most challenging moments of their lives.

For more information about Rosie’s Trust, or to find out how to support the charity through volunteering or donating, visit https://www.rosiestrust.org