Pictured (L-R) Robin Swann MLA, Emma McKeown Family Fund NI, and Robbie Butler MLA
Ulster Unionist MLA Robin Swann has praised the contribution made by the NI Family Fund.
The North Antrim MLA was asked to deliver the keynote address at a recent event in Stormont to mark the Fund’s 50th anniversary.
Speaking after the event Robin Swann said:
“Over the last five decades the Family Fund has been providing invaluable support to low income families raising disabled or seriously ill children. Last year alone the Fund provided over 4,600 grants worth £1.6m, ranging from everything such as helping with the purchase of essential white goods to providing some respite support for families.
“I was very pleased to have been asked by the Family Fund to speak at their recent event at Stormont. The event was very well supported by MLAs, charities, as well as families and some young people who have benefitted from the Fund.
“Throughout my time as a local MLA I’ve often seen the real difference the Fund has made to families. I’ve been fortunate enough to assist quite a few families from right across the North Antrim area in accessing the Fund and from talking to them subsequently it’s clear the support provided was of great assistance to them.
“It was during my time as Minister however that I fully witnessed just how fundamentally important the Fund is for the young people and the families it supports. In early 2022, seeing the rapidly rising costs being experienced by households, I was able to allocate the NI Family Fund an extra £500,000 for that year. As a result, that extra funding was used to support hundreds of additional families.
“On top of financial support, the NI Family Fund also offers important wider support such as information and resources on where to go for help with money and benefits, as well as practical support regarding their child’s education.
"I closed my remarks at the recent anniversary event by wishing the NI Family Fund well and saying I looked forward to the next half century being as productive as their first.”