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(1/10/2014)  Death of Malachy Foots  



The Fellowship is sad to announce the death on 30 September of our old member Malachy Foots after a long battle with cancer.

Malachy was an active member of the Fellowship from the late 50s to the early 70s. He attended swimming every week at the Ormeau Baths, was a regular at Polio House, never missed a flag day and went on all the Fellowship outings - Portrush, annual treasure hunt, Christmas parties and annual dinners. He really was a social being.

Like many of us he drifted away from the Fellowship as a young man but still remained committed to the rights and needs of disabled people. He was vey active in highlighting the needs of the disabled in relation to public transport all over Europe.

Within the last year or so Malachy was in regular contact through the website and even send some old photos. It was so good to hear from him again.

May his gentle soul rest in peace.


(19/9/2014)  Voice from the past - Malachy Foots  



Malachy Foots a member from the late 50s to the early 70s has sent us the photo above of a trip to a swimming gala in Manchester in the 1960s. In the photo is Francis Bell, Jim McKillop, Malachy and Bill Shepherd. Malachy sent three other photos which can be viewed in the "Historic" section of the photo gallery. Malachy was a great swimmer and represented the Fellowship at galas all over England as well as in Dublin and Derry. Malachy attended all functions organised by the Fellowship and has very fond memories of his weekly visits to Polio House, the annual trip to Portrush, the annual treasure hunt, the Christmas Parties and the annual dinners. He also gave much back to the Fellowship being a collector at every flag day organised by Mr Rankin.

Recently Malachy has been very ill but has as ever remained very upbeat. He has been trying to contact old friends from the Fellowship and has managed to contact a former member who now lives in Australia - John Short.

If anyone else has old photos they want put up on the website get in touch and we will get them uploaded.


(18/9/2014)  NIPF joins European Polio Union  

The Northern Ireland Polio Fellowship joined the European Polio Union (EPU) on 1 September 2014. We are now part of the largest group in Europe highlighting the needs of polio survivors. The British Polio Fellowship, The Post Polio Support Group in the Republic of Ireland and The Scottish Post Polio Support Group are all members.

More information on the EPU is available at www.europeanpolio.eu


(18/9/2014)  Next Quiz - 25 October 2014  

The next quiz will be held on Saturday 25 October at 7.30pm in the usual venue The Docker's Club, Pilot Street. The cost is £6 per person and this includes entry to the quiz, spot prizes, supper and play your cards right. Hope to see a big crowd. Come along and enjoy the craic.


(5/9/2014)  Next Quiz - Saturday 13 september 2014  

The next quiz will be held on Saturday 13 September at 7.30pm at the usual venue The Docker's Club, Pilot Street. The cost is £6 per person this includes entry to quiz, spot prizes, supper and play your cards right.

Come along and have a great nights craic.


(2/9/2014)  Death Of Norman Johnston  



It is with great sadness that the Northern Ireland Polio Fellowship announces the death of our former Chairperson Norman Johnston. Norman had been ill for some time and was being nursed at home by his wife Shelia. On Saturday his condition worsened and he was admitted to the Ulster Hospital where he died peacefully at 2pm on Sunday with his wife and sons Malcolm and Wesley at his side.

Norman contracted polio in the early 50s and spent a lot of time in the old fever hospital in Purdysburn. He graduated as a teacher and taught in Omagh for a number of years. When he found it increasingly difficult to stand while teaching he changed career and opened his own publishing business and the family moved to Bangor. As Norman continued to suffer from the late effects of polio he joined the Fellowship and became a driving force in highlighting the condition to survivors and medical professionals. Along with Jean Thompson and Eddie McCrory Norman led a delegation to the Department of Health which directly led to the Department funding the issue of leaflets to all GP surgeries in Northern Ireland on The Late Effects of Polio. The Department also funded a conference for polio survivors and medical professionals.

The Fellowship offers sincere condolences to Shelia and the boys at this very sad time.

Norman's funeral takes place on Wednesday 3 September at 11.30am in Wesley Centenary Methodist Church in Hamilton Road bangor.



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