Football boss Rodgers helps launch hospice emergency appeal for essential care funds

THE Northern Ireland Hospice and Children’s Hospice have started an emergency appeal for donations.

Hospice ambassador and Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers launched the ‘Now, More Than Ever’ campaign yesterday.

Brendan, who is from Carnlough, Co Antrim, spoke on video from his home, asking people to donate what they can to help raise essential funds for hospice care.

Staff said the spread of Covid-19 has already had a devastating impact on the charity’s income. With fundraising events postponed and charity shops closed, the funds that the hospice heavily relies on have stopped.

Chief executive Heather Weir explained that the prospect of an estimated loss of £10m by the end of 2020 has forced the charity to launch this appeal.

“We decided we needed an emergency appeal for donations when it was clear that, if we didn’t take immediate action, our vital care services were at risk,” she said.

“I know this is a worrying time for everyone and many are concerned about the future; we are asking for whatever help people are able to give.

“Our appeal is aptly named ‘Now, More Than Ever’ because we know that our supporters, who are also suffering through this crisis, will want to protect our future.”

Ms Weir said it may be the most important appeal for the hospice since its formation.

She added: “Our nurses, doctors and support teams are tirelessly providing care to their patients throughout this crisis.

“We need to continue our specialist services and help those that need it.

“I have faith that the community will rally behind hospice as they have done many times before. I want to thank everyone that helps us in the weeks ahead, every donation counts. Please donate at nihospice.org — we need your help. Now, more than ever.”

CHIEF Constable Simon Byrne has raised concerns that some of Northern Ireland’s empty roads are being used as race tracks.

He has warned drivers the coronavirus outbreak will not get them off the hook if they are caught speeding.

Mr Byrne, speaking on the BBC’S Good Morning Ulster, said people have largely been “pretty responsible” in following government advice on social distancing. It comes after reports of people at beauty spots over the weekend.

New draconian powers came into force on Saturday night allowing the PSNI to clamp down on those found not following health advice on remaining indoors.

Crowds of more than two people that are not all from the same household are banned.

Mr Byrne said there were a few occasions when the PSNI stepped up patrols in certain beauty spots and they had to advise people to “go home”.

In one incident officers had to tell a person who was self-isolating to go back into their home.

Mr Byrne also encouraged anyone who has seen people flouting the rules to contact police.

He said two officers have been confirmed to have Covid-19, but said that the PSNI has one of the lowest absence rates of forces in the UK. Mr Byrne said they were aiming to put more staff out on patrols right across Northern Ireland with possible cordons in place to ask people why they are out.

“We want to strike a balance,” he said. “People need to get out and do their shopping, those essential workers still need to get to work so we have to see that.

“The big thing to stress is we will still be pushing speeding enforcement. There has been a lot of concern and evidence over the last few days some people are treating empty roads like race tracks.

“So we will be there to enforce the law quite robustly because we can’t afford to put more pressure on the health service.”