Latest news with #Millisle
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Autism centre gets free glow up after social media SOS
"I need your help!" When Gerard Donaghy, from Millisle, County Down, shared those words on his Facebook page, he had no idea how people would respond. He had a vision of bringing together painters and decorators from across Northern Ireland to give a building that serves the community a much-needed glow up. On Saturday, a resource centre for families living with autism will be given a free makeover - thanks to more than 50 volunteers. "You don't have to look far to find bad news these days - it can weigh you down - but something like this reminds you that there's still plenty of good out there," the father of two told BBC News NI. As well as looking for volunteers, Gerard, who runs Paintworks NI with his wife Danielle, asked for nominations for a building needing a transformation. The successful nominee was Helping Hands Autism Resource Centre in Dundonald, on the outskirts of Belfast. "As a dad of a daughter with additional needs, this one's personal," Gerard said. "I walked into their space and saw what they were trying to do and I just knew we could help make it better. "A coat of paint might not seem like much to some, but when it's done with care and pride, it changes how a place feels - and that's what these families deserve." Caroline Birch, chairperson of Helping Hands, said the organisation is "incredibly grateful for this act of kindness". "It means the world to our family members and the local community as well," she said. "We are absolutely delighted that Gerard and all the other guys have generously volunteered their time, equipment and expertise to support our charity by redecorating our premises." "The makeover will create a brighter, more welcoming space for the children and families that Helping Hands supports every day," she added. Rising costs and funding difficulties can be stressful for charities. But Caroline says the transformation has lifted the atmosphere and will allow them to "truly reflect the care and inclusion we strive to provide". "The Paint It Forward initiative stands as an excellent example of local businesses giving back and making a meaningful difference - we cannot thank them all enough," she said. "Here's to a colourful brighter future for our charity." Paint It Forward was something Gerard said he had been thinking about for years. "What if we could get a crowd of decorators together, just for one day, to completely transform a place that really needs it? No hoops to jump through, no funding, just people showing up and using their skills to do good." Last year, he met the chairman of the Painting Contractors Association in the US, Nick Slavic, who told him: "It starts with one." "That conversation was the fuel that lit the fire," he said. "From the minute we mentioned it, people jumped on it. "I had painters messaging saying 'Count me in', without even knowing the full details. "Suppliers stepped up with no hesitation... They just said yes - along with loads of local businesses who are chipping in too. "At the heart of it, it's just people wanting to be part of something positive." "I'd love to see this spark something across the board," Gerard said. "Whether you're a roofer, a joiner, a landscaper, a plumber, we all have skills. "If every trade gave one day a year to a cause in their community, imagine what we could do?"
BBC News
15 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Autism centre in Northern Ireland gets glow up after Facebook SOS
"I need your help!"When Gerard Donaghy, from Millisle, County Down, shared those words on his Facebook page, he had no idea how people would had a vision of bringing together painters and decorators from across Northern Ireland to give a building that serves the community a much-needed glow Saturday, a resource centre for families living with autism will be given a free makeover - thanks to more than 50 volunteers."You don't have to look far to find bad news these days - it can weigh you down - but something like this reminds you that there's still plenty of good out there," the father of two told BBC News NI. As well as looking for volunteers, Gerard, who runs Paintworks NI with his wife Danielle, asked for nominations for a building needing a successful nominee was Helping Hands Autism Resource Centre in Dundonald, on the outskirts of Belfast."As a dad of a daughter with additional needs, this one's personal," Gerard said."I walked into their space and saw what they were trying to do and I just knew we could help make it better."A coat of paint might not seem like much to some, but when it's done with care and pride, it changes how a place feels - and that's what these families deserve." 'Act of kindness' Caroline Birch, chairperson of Helping Hands, said the organisation is "incredibly grateful for this act of kindness"."It means the world to our family members and the local community as well," she said."We are absolutely delighted that Gerard and all the other guys have generously volunteered their time, equipment and expertise to support our charity by redecorating our premises." "The makeover will create a brighter, more welcoming space for the children and families that Helping Hands supports every day," she added. Rising costs and funding difficulties can be stressful for Caroline says the transformation has lifted the atmosphere and will allow them to "truly reflect the care and inclusion we strive to provide". "The Paint It Forward initiative stands as an excellent example of local businesses giving back and making a meaningful difference - we cannot thank them all enough," she said."Here's to a colourful brighter future for our charity." Paint It Forward was something Gerard said he had been thinking about for years."What if we could get a crowd of decorators together, just for one day, to completely transform a place that really needs it? No hoops to jump through, no funding, just people showing up and using their skills to do good."Last year, he met the chairman of the Painting Contractors Association in the US, Nick Slavic, who told him: "It starts with one.""That conversation was the fuel that lit the fire," he said."From the minute we mentioned it, people jumped on it. 'We all have skills' "I had painters messaging saying 'Count me in', without even knowing the full details."Suppliers stepped up with no hesitation... They just said yes - along with loads of local businesses who are chipping in too."At the heart of it, it's just people wanting to be part of something positive.""I'd love to see this spark something across the board," Gerard said."Whether you're a roofer, a joiner, a landscaper, a plumber, we all have skills."If every trade gave one day a year to a cause in their community, imagine what we could do?"
BBC News
29-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Millisle: Linfield captain 'blown away' by new school library
He has won it all in football as captain of Linfield, but a new library in Millisle Primary School had Jamie Mulgrew almost lost for words."I'm just blown away by it," he told BBC News NI. "It's going to make such a massive difference to the children".Millisle Primary's library is a bit special County Down seaside village is famous for its caravan parks - and that brought opportunity when one of them gifted the school a caravan that was due to go up for sale. Parents and staff got to work transforming it into what is now called the Windmill Library, named after one of the village's landmarks. Parents 'sacrificed time, money, effort' With 240 pupils, the school struggles for space. Principal Ian McManus said they previously had no room for a library."Our previous library was just a number of shelves in the computer suite, so it was awkward in terms of children getting to borrow books," he said."We have a caravan, which is synonymous with the village already, (and) everybody thought it would be a great idea to convert the caravan into a library."He said parents had "sacrificed their time, money, effort" to fundraise to create the library."We brought in tradespeople who we knew would do a really good job and I think we have the perfect finish," he added."Research globally shows that children who read for fun at 10 years old go on to have better results at 16."We want to be a school that imparts that for life for our children, so we throw everything at it." Education Minister Paul Givan came to the school to officially open the Windmill Library, and he was impressed."All of the evidence shows that if you get engaged in reading in your early years it massively impacts on your academic performance throughout the rest of your education," he said."Financially, school budgets are under pressure but what they've been able to do here through their own initiative I think is something to be commended." 'I love it' Pupils 10-year-old Preston and 10-year-old Julia got their first glimpse inside the Windmill Library."I think it's really good and I love it," Julia said."It's very good, and gives all the younger people and older people a chance to read in silence," Preston favourite author is Anthony Horowitz."All his books are action packed, and I like action," he meanwhile, is a fan of David Walliams and enjoys reading."It keeps your mind motivated and I think it's really fun and it helps you with your imagination," she said. Jamie Mulgrew has been taking time out to encourage pupils at the school to read for a number of has a "Books and Boots" who meet reading targets get a weekly session working on their football skills with the former Northern Ireland international."The difference that this programme has made to the children has been absolutely fantastic," Mulgrew he admits he was a reluctant reader at school."I've three children myself and now I see the difference that it can make and the importance of it," he told BBC News NI."It's something I try and instil into my children and I suppose learn from the mistakes I made."
Irish Times
18-05-2025
- Irish Times
PSNI arrest man for attempted murder after car rams drinkers
A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after two people were seriously injured when a car hit drinkers outside a Co Down bar on Saturday night. Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) detective inspector Oonagh Ryan said the collision was reported shortly after 11pm at Main Street in Millisle village, a seaside resort on the Ards Peninsula. A festival had taken place in the village earlier in the day. 'It was reported that the vehicle involved, turned around and drove past the licensed premises again before making off from the scene,' Ms Ryan said. The PSNI and ambulance service attended the scene. READ MORE Two people were taken to hospital for treatment of their injuries, which have been described as serious, said Ms Ryan. The vehicle was located a short time later outside Walkers Lane, Millisle. One man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and a number of driving offences, she said. He is currently in police custody.' The street was closed for a period on Sunday. Police are appealing for anyone with dashcam, doorbell or other footage of the incident to come forward.
The Sun
18-05-2025
- The Sun
Two rushed to hospital with ‘serious' injuries after car ploughs into pedestrians on busy Co Down street as man arrested
TWO people have been rushed to hospital in serious condition after a car drove into a crowd on a busy Down street. Cops in Millisle, Co Down have arrested a man after he drove his car into pedestrians last night. The PSNI received a report at around 11pm that a car had collided with a number of people outside a licensed premises on Main Street. It was reported that the driver had then turned around and drove off from the scene following the incident. Officers rushed to the scene, with two people being rushed to hospital. Their injuries are being described as serious. Detective Inspector Oonagh Ryan said: 'We received a report at around 11.05pm, that a vehicle had collided with a number of pedestrians outside licensed premises on Main Street, Millisle. 'It was reported that the vehicle involved turned around and drove past the licensed premises again before making off from the scene. 'Officers, along with colleagues from NIAS attended the scene and two people were taken to hospital for treatment of their injuries, which have been described as serious." The car was later discovered outside Walkers Lane. A man was then arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and a number of driving offences. He is currently being detained in police custody. Ryan continued: "The vehicle was located a short time later outside Walkers Lane, Millisle. One man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and a number of driving offences, he is currently in police custody." "Our enquiries are at an early stage and we are appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time, who witnessed the incident, or anyone with dashcam or doorbell footage, to contact detectives on 101 quoting reference CW 1805 of 17/05/25." Drivers are now advised that Main Street, Millisle is currently closed. The PSNI ask that motorists seek alternate routes for your journey. A report can be made using the online reporting form via Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at DERRY CRASH Separately, cops in Derry are appealing for information following a crash yesterday. Inspector Irwin said: "Police were on patrol in the Glengalliagh Road area around 10.05pm, when they observed a white vehicle driving erratically from the Leafair Park area, in the direction of Ballyarnett roundabout. "The vehicle, a white Toyota Altezza, appeared to make off from the marked police vehicle and was observed driving at speed in the direction of Racecourse Road, where it was involved in a head-on collision with a silver Vauxhall Astra. "The driver of the Toyota and the driver and two passengers of the Vauxhall Astra were taken to hospital for treatment to injuries which are not believed to be serious at this time. "Our enquiries are ongoing into the exact circumstances surrounding the collision and anyone who was in the area at the time and witnessed this, or who may have dashcam or other video footage, is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference 1695 of 17/5/25. "Alternatively, you can submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at 1
