Belfast Medics do Strictly Comes Dancing to Raise Scanner Cash

The Royal does Strictly will see them donning their dancing shoes to raise funds for the Children’s MRI Scanner Appeal. The competitors have already had their first rehearsal and the winners will be announced at the grand final set to be staged at Titanic Belfast on November 10 this year.

The appeal aims to raise £2m for a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) facility dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of sick and injured children in Northern Ireland. It will be located at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, currently the only children’s hospital in the UK and Ireland that does not have its own MRI Scanner.

UTV’s Marc Mallett and Alison Fleming, the BBC’s Jackie Fullerton, Marie-Louise Connolly and Martina Purdy, Kirstie McMurray (Cool FM), Caroline Fleck (Downtown Radio) and Stephen Clements (Citybeat) are among the local personalities who have been partnered with medical staff from the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.

The main sponsor of the glitzy corporate event is Kingsbridge Private Hospital, Belfast. Dr Deirdre Peake, consultant paediatric neurologist at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, said: “We are delighted that these local personalities have joined forces with us to dance for this very worthwhile appeal. An MRI scanner will benefit sick or injured children from all over Northern Ireland, allowing us to provide an enhanced service with early diagnosis and treatment by staff trained in the care of children and in a child-friendly environment.”

Sarah Quinlan from the charity Children’s Heartbeat Trust – one of four charities involved in the MRI Scanner Appeal – added “This is a key event for the Children’s MRI Scanner Appeal in 2012 and we are grateful for the support being shown for our campaign. “Everyone can get involved in our appeal, from a family event to corporate sponsorship – every single penny will help us ensure that sick children in Northern Ireland receive the best and safest treatment available.”

Mark Regan, CEO at Kingsbridge Private Hospital, said they were delighted to be supporting such a worthy cause. “As a trained radiographer myself I know the benefits the best technology in healthcare can bring. Having a bespoke MRI Scanner located on sites dedicated to paediatric care will enable safe and swift scanning which is vital in making a tremendous difference to literally thousands of children, not just now but for many years to come,” he emphasised.

Guests can also look forward to a night of a-list entertainment at what promises to be a superb event.