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Prince Edward Opens New HQ for Charity

Thursday 29 June 2006

HRH the Earl of Wessex has officially opened the new headquarters of Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke in Belfast city centre.

<img src='http://www.nichsa.com/html/pressroom/opening'>

HRH the Earl of Wessex has officially opened the new headquarters of Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke in Belfast city centre.


The charity had been in temporary accommodation for more than three years after its previous premises were destroyed by fire following a burglary. It has rebuilt on its original site at 21 Dublin Road.

The Earl was greeted by around 60 clients, volunteers and staff of the charity as he toured the premises and unveiled a plaque.
Chief Executive Andrew Dougal said: "We are honoured that Prince Edward has made the sufferers of chest, heart and stroke illnesses one of his priorities on his latest visit to Northern Ireland, and that the visit coincides with our 60th birthday.

"Since being established as the National Association for the Prevention of TB in 1946 we have achieved a great deal for the people of Northern Ireland. TB was eradicated not much more than a decade after our foundation, while deaths from coronary heart disease in the under 75s have fallen by more than two thirds in the last 20 years, due largely to improved detection and treatment and to the health promotion message which we have been instrumental in conveying.

"With regard to our new building, it is great to be able to serve the public again from the site everyone associates with Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke. We are most grateful to the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company for providing us with temporary headquarters in Chamber of Commerce House in Great Victoria Street for more than three years. But it is good to be back home, as it were, in a purpose built centre which allows us to provide a greater range of services and to train staff and volunteers."

The charity will occupy several floors of the new building, while letting out the ground floor for retail use.

Said Mr Dougal: "This, together with an advertising hoarding and the rental fee from a bank ATM, will bring us a healthy additional income which will contribute towards the services we provide. Rebuilding in the city centre will also guarantee the long-term financial health of the charity, given the likely appreciation in value of city centre premises in the coming years. NICHS bought the property in 1985 when property prices were very low"

The charity's phone number remains the same - 028 9032 0184 - as does its advice line, 08457 697299, which can be called at local rates from anywhere in Northern Ireland.

Ends

See also:
<a href='http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/5128924.stm'>Earl opens health charity centre (BBC News)</a>
<a href='http://www.u.tv/newsroom/indepth.asp?id=74726&pt=n'>Earl of Wessex visits Belfast (UTV News)</a>
<a href='http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=696804'>Edward unveils plaque to open charity's premises (Belfast Telegraph)</a>
<a href='http://www.4ni.co.uk/news.asp?id=52962'>Earl of Wessex visits Northern Ireland (4ni.co.uk)</a>


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