‘I know from my own diagnosis what people will go through’
Peter Branker (46) from Dromore works for Translink and also volunteers at a youth club. He says:
Ivolunteer for Cancer Focus NI because I know what it’s like to have cancer — I’ve been diagnosed three times at the ages of 13 and 18, and again a few years ago, which have resulted in me losing my right eye and my left leg below the knee.
I’ve done lots of fundraising for different charities over the years and when I heard about the work Cancer Focus NI was doing I went down and visited them and began volunteering about two years ago.
I’ve travelled to different towns doing collections and assisted at various events that they’ve been running, including the Christmas Grotto in Lisburn.
Most recently, in the summer I was a judge at their Strictly Come Dancing event in the Stormont Hotel in Belfast. It was a fantastic event and has spurred me on to take part in the next one as a contestant.
The grotto was great fun to be part of and it was really just helping out and bringing the children in to see Santa — complete with an elf outfit. I love doing that sort of thing and helping out, especially with charities that I believe in, and Cancer Focus NI do great work with people affected by cancer.
Helping raise funds and volunteering gives me great satisfaction, as I know from my own diagnosis what people go through.
How Cancer Focus NI helps families is just incredible and even as recently as 30 years ago a cancer diagnosis was all about treatment. Now there’s so much support for people and the families affected, such as art therapy, counselling and support groups.
Christmas is the most important time to get involved, as many get excited for this time of year, but there are also others who are lonely and isolated and thinking about the people they have lost. It’s a great thing to do.”
Getting your outfits just right for all your Christ- mas events can be a chal- lenge — but the new collection designed by supermodel Heidi Klum for Lidl will save the day (and night).
This collection, which launches in Northern Ireland Lidl stores on December 4, is the second Esmara by Heidi Klum and is called #LETSCELEBRATE. The first, launched earlier this year and named Heidi & The City, was an outstanding success.
Just in time to complete your festive wardrobe, #LETSCELEBRATE combines warm winter colours and chic fabrics such as velvet, satin, sequins and faux fur. The collection is priced from £5.99 and features hero pieces including a plush winter coat, a delicate pink sequin dress and strappy shoes which will compliment any outfit.
Rose cami, £5.99
Rose gold sequin top, £9.99
Rose gold blazer, £19.99
The new range also features stylish everyday wardrobe staples, inspired by the glamour of the party season. Whether it’s Christmas party celebrations with work colleagues, relaxing dinners with family or New Year’s Eve parties with friends, the 34-piece collection includes this season’s essentials to cover all occasions.
“I wanted to create a simple, elegant fashion line that will make us shine over the festive season,” Heidi Klum says.
The collection launches in all 38 Lidl stores across Northern Ireland for a limited period while stocks last.
Clothing comes in sizes 10 to 18 and shoes will be available in sizes 4 to 6.5.
Navy coat, £24.99
Navy sequin dress, £14.99
Rose gold sequin dress, £14.99