Belfast Telegraph, 18 September 2015   Click to watch the video
Thanks, Jane

Cinderella director Sir Kenneth Branagh has issued a personal video message of support for a new adult hospice for Northern Ireland, which is set to open soon.

As Northern Ireland Hospice launches its annual Operation Purple fundraising campaign, the celebrated actor recalls growing up close to the original Northern Ireland Hospice in his native Belfast and urges people to support the appeal for the new Hospice.

Branagh mentions a ‘personal experience’ with hospice care as he asks viewers to “help build a legacy of hospice care for the future”.

He adds: “It (NI Hospice) will be one of the first dementia-friendly hospices in the UK and Ireland. It will be a building fit for the future, providing care for the people of Northern Ireland over the coming decades, and one we can all be proud of.”

The charity is currently raising funds to help equip and ‘Fit-Out’ the new Hospice, which is located in North Belfast. The charity has received wonderful support to date from people across Northern Ireland as well as local companies, community groups, Government and charitable trusts but still needs help to complete the new Hospice.

Northern Ireland Hospice’s Operation Purple fundraising drive starts next month with a Big Coffee Break (Oct 1-Dec 31), a Twilight Walk in Titanic Quarter (Oct 2), Mile of £1’s and family fun day at Stormont (Oct 3) and for fans of Star Wars, Heroes and Legends at the new Eikon Exhibition Centre (Oct 24/25).