Northern Ireland gears up for Christmas special as Santa’s Gatelodge prepares to light up

Preparations for the annual magical fundraiser which takes place in Northern Ireland are underway and organisers are calling for volunteers to lend a hand.

Santa’s Gatelodge, which takes place at Milford, Co Armagh every year, attracts 5,000 people from all over Ireland and raises thousands of pounds for people in need.

The event takes place this year from November 28 to December 12.

Is it too early to talk about Santa? Not for iCare as staff plan Christmas spectacle

Homecare Independent Living staff are gearing up for their biggest fundraising event of the year and are urging people to come and volunteer with them at this year’s Santa’s Gateloge.

The national leader in homecare provision set up its own charity iCare in 2010 which empowers communities to create a better world through acts of kindness. The company employs 1,200 people and lives by its ethos – ‘Here For You’.

Brave little Avah granted wish as iCare charity sends family on beach holiday

The charity iCare, which raises thousands of pounds every year to help people in need, have granted an iCare Wish to this brave toddler – Avah McGinty.

Avah suffers from Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus so iCare, the charity set up by Homecare Independent Living, granted her an iCare Wish which meant she and her family could go on holiday this year.

Two down, five to go, as running men Stephane and Peter head to Wales

The Celtic 7 Marathon Challenge has got off to a great start as the two runners, Peter McGahan and Stephane Delourme head for Wales following their success in Brittany.

Stephane, who is head chef at Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant in Padstow in Cornwall, and Peter, owner of Worldwide Financial Planning, are raising money for three children’s charities.

Daughter’s love for mum shines as cherry blossom tree iCare Wish comes true

Every quarter, the iCare charity asks people in the community to nominate someone who they would like to grant a wish to.

The charity, set up by Homecare Independent Living in 2010 and which is run by a team of volunteers, grants wishes to people who are in need. The next round of nominations is now open but entries close on October 31.

School of talent grows as new VP looks to a bright future at Markethill High School

Markethill High School is going from strength to strength and the appointment of James McCoy as new Vice Principal, will strengthen its position even more.

The school, which is campaigning for a new build school and sixth form provision, welcomes Mr McCoy to join the team who will help lead the school to continued growth and success.

Lloyd Acoustics complete on a Drill Anchoring contract to retain a shifting wall

Lloyd Acoustics is an independent company specialising in the development of pile testing systems for the building and civil engineering industry.

The team at Lloyds Acoustics have completed the €700,000 contract to make safe an existing Secant Piled wall at the Heuston South Quarter (HSQ) site in Dublin.

Homecare is finalist in Irish News Workplace and Employment Awards

Ireland’s leading homecare provider, Homecare Independent Living, have been announced as finalists in the Irish News Workplace and Employment Awards.

The awards are sponsored by Northern Ireland’s leading law firm, Tughans along with Liberty IT, Investors in People, H3 Healthcare Insurance, Tesco and Power NI.

Zero carbon homes are the way forward for people wanting a smarter way to live

‘Sustainable’ is no longer just a buzz word. It’s a reality and more and more people are seeking sustainable ways of living in a bid to be less reliant on volatile energy markets.

Green Future NI is a construction company which builds zero carbon homes in Ireland. MGMPR Ltd has supported Green Future NI with lobbying politicians at Stormont, organising ministerial visits, launching Northern Ireland’s first zero carbon housing development and more.

Markethill High School first in UK to receive European excellence award

MARKETHILL High School standards are raised again as its the first school to have ever been awarded with European excellence in Leuven in Belgium.

The award, presented at a Civic Reception during the annual European Studies Conference at the Institute of Ireland, was the result of a collaboration carried out by Class 10JC who teamed up with pupils in Dublin and Spain.

Have you ever wanted to grant someone a wish? Now’s your chance!

iCare is a charity which is run by a team of staff from Homecare Independent Living who volunteer their time to make a difference in people’s lives.

Every quarter the charity asks people in the community to nominate someone they would like to see granted an iCare Wish. iCare Wishes are granted every quarter so if you know someone nominate now!

Leading home care provider in the running for Employer of Choice award

Homecare Independent Living is a solutions based company which offers a broad range of services to allow people to live independently in their own homes, in their own communities.

The company was shortlisted for The Community Employer of Choice Award which celebrates companies which create an environment in which people have the opportunity to thrive.

Alive Surf School celebrates ‘Best Family Activity Provider’ award – again!

Surfing is world class sport which is accessible to everyone regardless of age, shape, size or fitness levels, says Ricky Martin, owner of Alive Surf School in Portrush.

The school, which is the longest running surf school in Northern Ireland, has won been awarded Best Family Activity Provider in Northern Ireland’ for the third year in a row by OutdoorNI.

Zip up your wetsuit and let’s go surfing! West Strand in Portrush is the place to be!

Surfing is a sport which is world class. Eleanor McGillie speaks to Ricky Martin to find out what the buzz is all about.

West Strand in Portrush, Northern Ireland, is a top class destination which not only showcases our beautiful coastline but it is a central hub for sport, events and tourism all year round. So zip up – surf’s up!

Belfast church greens its roof so solar PV savings boost community projects

AmberGreen Energy provides green energy solutions to homes and businesses in Northern Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland.

Its teams are out and about helping people save money by generating their own renewable energy using solar pv or biomass. The Ulster Temple in Belfast explains why it switched to solar.