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With the affects of allergies becoming more and more prevalent in today’s society customers at The Quays Shopping Centre will get the chance to talk to allergy awareness groups and organisations this coming Saturday.
The Quays will host organisations such as Allergy NI, Asthma UK Northern Ireland and Nourish Health and Nutrition, Newry while Sainsbury’s will be sampling products from their ‘Free From’ gluten free Coeliac range. Local writer Madge Smith McDonald will also be signing copies of her book ‘From the May Meadows to the Brown Bog’ during the event. All the proceeds of the book are being donated to Allergy NI in memory of Jane McVeigh who tragically died in 2006 following an anaphylactic shock as a result of a nut allergy.
Cathal Austin, Centre Manager at The Quays said, “We often host events where customers are able to speak to professionals and organisations about their health and people tend to find them very useful. We are delighted to be hosting organisations at the centre which give advice and help if you have an allergy however mild it may be. We would also like to welcome Madge Smith McDonald to the centre and hope that people will support the wonderful work of Allergy NI by buying a copy of the book about life gone by in Ballyholland and beyond. Thousands of pounds have already been raised for the charity through the book since it was launched in March and we hope to build on this during Allergy Awareness Day at the centre.”
According to Allergy UK allergies affect approximately one in four people in the UK at some time in their lives. Each year the numbers are increasing by 5% with as many as half of all those affected being children.
An allergy can be anything from a runny nose, itchy eyes and palate to skin rash. It can aggravate the sense of smell, sight, tastes and touch causing irritation, extreme disability and sometimes fatality. It occurs when the body's immune system overreacts to normally harmless substances.
William Briers, Chairman of Allergy NI added, “It is fantastic to be invited to take part in this event at The Quays. There are so many people out there living with the effects of an allergy and they many not know where to seek help. Allergic reactions are caused by substances in the environment known as allergens. Almost anything can be an allergen for someone.
“Through events like these we can raise awareness of organisations who are here to support people with allergies. We would like to sincerely thank Madge Smith McDonald, the author of ‘From the May Meadows to the Brown Bog’, Dr. Gerard O Hare, Director of Parkergreen International who supported the publishing of the book and to everyone who, through buying a copy has supported the work of Allergy NI.”
Allergy Awareness Day will take place from 11am until 3pm on Saturday 31st May at The Quays Shopping Centre in Newry. Signed copies of ‘From the May Meadows to the Brown Bog’ are priced at £10. The book is also available in Eason’s in Buttercrane, Ballyholland shop and The Tourist Information Centre, Bagenall’s Castle, Newry and the Customer Service Desk at The Quays.
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