Newtownhamilton’s McNiece family have raised an eye-watering £12,000 for charity by feeding their community with a ‘Big Breakfast’ in memory of their very own champion fundraiser!
The late matriarch of the family, Nessie McNiece was said champion fundraiser. According to her family, Nessie was always on the lookout for ways to raise a few pounds for worthy causes.
Speaking to Armagh I ahead of the Big Breakfast back in March, her granddaughter Serena said their 2026 effort would also be held in memory of Nessie’s husband Leslie, with all proceeds split between Air Ambulance NI, Children’s Kidney Fund and Pretty N Pink.
Serena explained: “We are going for the Air Ambulance; my husband was airlifted in 2023 by them. We nearly lost him at the time so it’s very, very important to us.
“My wee nephew was very sick in the Royal Victoria Hospital with kidney problems and was on dialysis and that’s where the Children’s Kidney Fund comes in.
Related: Newtownhamilton family continue to serve up for charity and do Nessie proud
“There’s been a couple of breast cancer scares within the family but mostly with one of my aunts and she had seen huge benefits from the Pretty in Pink charity.”
On March 28, they opened the doors of Tullyvallen Football Club to serve up hot breakfasts to many hundreds to descended on the Newtownhamilton grounds to show their support.
Albeit, the day wasn’t entirely plain sailing! They battled through snow during set-up to electricity cut-outs and the “mushroom and beans chef” having to come up with a creative solution to get the first few breakfasts over the line!
Thankfully, they rallied and managed to overcome every hurdle.
Once the count was complete, they had wracked up an incredible £12,666, meaning each charity received a healthy £4,222 straight into their donation pots!
Said Serena: “The McNiece family would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that was involved in making The Big Breakfast 2026 happen, from food supplies, equipment, venue and all the extra helping hands.
“And to all the people that came on the morning. There would be no point in us doing an event like this if we didn’t have the local community and beyond attending and supporting us.”
Check out the gallery below:
Alastair McNiece and his family for Children’s Kidney Fund NI, Ann and Raymond Bradshaw with Pretty N Pink, Serena and Mark Millar and their Family for Air Ambulance NI
