Donella Meade

Donella is a volunteer with the NI Cancer Fund for Children and got involved with the charity after her daughter Naomi was diagnosed with cancer at the age of eleven. After her whole family received support from NICFC, Donella became a volunteer with the charity's Youth Programme where she regularly attends weekend residentials with groups of young people, travelling two hours from her home town of Lisbellaw in Co. Fermanagh to Narnia, NICFC's residential centre in Newcastle Co. Down. Donella is also a regular volunteer with NICFC's fundraising department, representing them at various events and cheque presentations around Co. Fermanagh. As a result of her work with NICFC, Donella has completed a number of Youth Work qualifications and is now studying for a degree in Social Work. Donella's commitment has been highly commended by staff at NICFC- she continues to work full-time in a nursing home and support her young family, while coping with the demands of her 4-year degree. She still has another 3 years to go before graduating, but she is determined to gain her qualifications and sees it as "something positive that has come from something negative." i work with adults who have learning disabilities. I have another 4 years of study to complete my degree, as i have completed one year of two to gain my entry qualifications first, and am due to begin my 3 year degree program in september 2012.