BraveheartsNI

29/08/2026

Yesterday our Bravehearts Keri & Emma had the privilege of delivering our first Memory Boxes to the Royal Victoria Hospital. 💙

This project was made possible thanks to the incredible funds raised by the Gray Family in memory of their much-loved Gerard. 💙

We were incredibly grateful that part of their amazing donation was used to make these Memory Boxes possible. There is something particularly special about knowing that money raised in Gerard’s memory will now bring comfort to other families facing the heartbreaking loss of a loved one. 💙

Each Memory Box was lovingly put together and included:
🌸 A comforting poem
🌱 Wildflower seeds
🤍 A small glass jar for a lock of hair or heart trace
🧶 A handmade crochet heart
💙 A memory heart keyring
🖐️ An inkless handprint kit
💨 A rechargeable handheld fan

We also supplied 10 oil diffusers and 100 essential oils to help create a calm and comforting environment when needed.

We were delighted to deliver the boxes to Deputy Sister Julie and her colleague Sean, who will manage the distribution throughout the cardiac wards at the RVH, ensuring they are available to families when they need them most.

A huge thank you to the Gray Family, and to everyone who ran, donated and supported their incredible fundraising. Your generosity has helped us provide something tangible for 150 families during one of the most difficult moments they may ever face.

Gerard’s legacy will live on through the memories, love and comfort these boxes will help families hold onto. 💙

From all of us at BraveheartsNI, thank you.

For Bravehearts, by Bravehearts. 💙




Belfast Health and Social Care Trust

28/08/2026

We honestly don’t know where to start… £15,292 is an incredible amount, raised by the Gray Family raised memory of Gerard 😭💙

Back in May amazing marathon runners and 26 family members running the relay took on the Belfast City Marathon in memory of their much-loved brother, cousin, nephew and friend, our Braveheart Gerard, who sadly passed away last year.

We recently had the pleasure of meeting some of the family earlier in the week.

Gerard was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and, despite everything he faced, lived his life with courage, joy and that unforgettable smile. ❤️

What started as a family coming together to brave the race in his memory has resulted in an absolutely phenomenal £15,292 for BraveheartsNI.

To every runner, every family member, friend, supporter and everyone who donated we thank you ❤️. Your generosity will help us to continue supporting teenagers and adults living with congenital heart disease across Northern Ireland, whilst also supporting the Clinicans in the RVH who care for our Bravehearts.

We’re especially grateful that some of this incredible donation will be used towards our Memory Box project. These boxes are being created for families facing the heartbreaking loss of a loved one, providing a special place to keep precious memories and treasured keepsakes. It feels particularly fitting that money raised in Gerard’s memory will help other families create and hold onto memories of their own family members. 💙

I’m sure Gerard would have been incredibly proud watching you all take on that challenge together — and probably having a good laugh at the 26 relay runners along the way! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️😂

£15,292 is a truly amazing legacy for a very special Braveheart. 💙

From all of us at BraveheartsNI, thank you.
For the Bravehearts, by the Bravehearts. 💙

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19/08/2026

Fantastic to see BraveheartsNI proudly displayed at the All Ireland Coastal Rowing Championships in Bantry this weekend by the fab Grainne from Glens Coastal Rowing Club
We think you’re all champions too! 🚣🏻‍♂️🚣🏻‍♂️🚣🏻‍♂️

05/08/2026

Supporting our ACHD Team goes beyond providing medical equipment. 💙

Alongside the CoaguChek machines, we were also delighted to present Jan & Lynda, our ACHD Nurse Specialists, with a laptop for use during their INR clinic.

The laptop will support the day-to-day running of the INR clinic, whilst supporting our Bravehearts as they learn to safely self-manage their anticoagulation (warfarin) treatment.

As the clinic continues to grow, having the right equipment in place helps ensure patients receive the best possible care while making appointments more efficient for both the clinical team and our Bravehearts.

It’s often the smaller pieces of equipment that make a big difference behind the scenes.

Thank you to Jan & Lynda for their dedication to improving the lives of our Bravehearts living with congenital heart disease. We are proud to support the incredible work you do every day. 💙

Belfast Health and Social Care Trust

31/07/2026

A beautiful afternoon picking sunflowers.

The Johnson family open this incredible field every year for charity and this year we are one of the lucky charities.
It was a joy to meet our Braveheart Jody Johnson rocking our lovely hoody.

I was in my element in a field full of my favourite flower. 🌻🌻🌻

Please go and support and bring home the most beautiful giant sunflowers.
What’s not to love!

31/07/2026

As the week comes to a close, our thoughts remain with the family and loved ones of our Braveheart Katie Mulholland following her funeral.

Katie dedicated her career to supporting children, young people and their families. Her passion, compassion and commitment made a meaningful difference to many lives, and her contribution will not be forgotten.

On behalf of everyone at BraveheartsNI, we extend our heartfelt condolences to all who are mourning Katie’s passing. We hope that, in time, the many memories she created and the lives she touched will bring comfort to those who loved her.

Rest in peace, Katie. ❤️

30/07/2026

🌻 Sunflower season has arrived!🌻

If you’re looking for a lovely day out over the coming weeks, why not visit the Ballymoyer Sunflower Festival, starting Friday 31st July (subject to nature!) 💛

Not only will you get to wander through beautiful sunflower fields, but every donation helps support some fantastic local organisations, and we’re incredibly grateful that BraveheartsNI has been chosen as one of this year’s beneficiaries alongside Evora Hospice Care, Ballymoyer & Belleek Parish Funds, and Rural Support ❤️

Every visit and every donation helps us continue supporting teenagers and adults across Northern Ireland living with Congenital Heart Disease.

A huge thank you to everyone involved in organising this wonderful community event and for thinking of BraveheartsNI.

🌻 Enjoy the sunflowers.
📸 Take lots of photos & share them with us.
💛 Support local charities.

For opening times and visitor information, please see the Ballymoyer Sunflower Festival page.

24/07/2026

We are so delighted to see Health Minister Mike Nesbit visit our fabulous ACHD team in RVH.
Meeting with our very own Dr Chris Lockhart & Dr Colum Owens, hearing all about the service and the plans to progress to be a leading centre across this Island.
Our ward teams also got to chat about daily needs across cardiology in general. We can only accomplish this together.
The Health Minister recently reached out to meet with us.
Our Chair Clare and Braveheart Daniella spent the precious time talking about all our amazing Bravehearts, the obstacles they have to deal with and the importance of our ACHD team.
As a result, soon after a delegation of us met with the head of NHSC Patient Travel and had a great insightful couple of hours discussing how we can all work together to support our Bravehearts and their families during the hardest times needing to travel for surgeries and transplant.

We are in no doubt how impactful and impressive Dr L & Dr O and their incredible team were today.

We are so proud of you all and look forward to the fantastic plans coming down the line with BraveheartsNI by your side.

22/07/2026

Another of our amazing Bravehearts Ríaín Ó Conchóbaír graduating this year from Ulster University.

Ríaín has been through an incredible journey.
CHD, heart transplant and other major challenges.
Here he is. Smashing life.
Watch out for him in the tv & movie arena.
He’s going places.

👏🏻Have you got something you’d like to share with us to highlight or celebrate with you?
📣📣Please get in touch.
No matter how big or small, we want to celebrate our incredible Bravehearts.

21/07/2026

We have woken to the most wonderful news for Dáithí and his family. ❤️

We continue to keep Dáithí, his family and his donor’s family in our thoughts. Please keep having those important conversations about organ donation, they truly save lives.

Dáithí has received the gift of a heart transplant. His wait, the longest of any child in the world for a heart transplant, is over.

Dáithí is at the beginning of his recovery. There have already been some big wins for him, but there is still a long road ahead, and we would ask you all to keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Organ donation is the greatest gift anyone can ever give.

We are beyond grateful to Dáithí’s donor and their family for making such a selfless decision at the most difficult time imaginable. Out of respect for them, and for their privacy, we won’t be saying anything more at this stage.

Please keep talking about organ donation. Those conversations save lives.