Northern Ireland

Alliance MLA Kate Nicholl donates dress worn in Belfast Mayoral portrait to charity

The donation to the British Heart Foundation is part of a recycling campaign for Earth Day on Monday.

South Belfast MLA Kate Nicholl is pictured donating her Mayoral dress to British Heart Foundation Northern Ireland for the charity’s ‘Reuse Revolution’ campaign. Pictured with Kate is Maureen McElhatton, Area Retail Manager for BHF NI.
South Belfast MLA Kate Nicholl is pictured donating her Mayoral dress to British Heart Foundation Northern Ireland for the charity’s ‘Reuse Revolution’ campaign. Pictured with Kate is Maureen McElhatton, Area Retail Manager for BHF NI.
By Allan Preston

Alliance MLA Kate Nicholl has donated the dress she wore while pregnant for her portrait as Belfast Lord Mayor to charity.

Teaming up with the British Heart Foundation ahead of Earth Day on Monday, the donation was made to encourage people to “donate one thing this Spring”.

The charity is asking people to donate to their local BHF store or via their eBay site in order to help fund lifesaving research for the 225,000 people in Northern Ireland living with heart and circulatory conditions.

Having served as Lord Mayor in 2021-22, Ms Nicholl had dedicated the portrait to the midwives of Belfast after the birth of her daughter Etain, who was born just weeks after her election as an MLA for south Belfast.

“I’m delighted to be supporting the British Heart Foundation to encourage people to donate and shop sustainably,” Ms Nicholl said.

“I’ve been buying preloved clothes from charity shops since I was a teenager and I love to find unique items that no one else has, for a bargain price.

“I want to encourage everyone to join the Reuse Revolution and consider both donating and checking out what’s on offer at BHF shops across Northern Ireland and online.

“The simple act of shopping can help the planet and raise money for a fantastic cause.”

Jill Coiley, BHF Belfast shop manager, said: “We’re delighted that Kate has joined our Reuse Revolution in shopping preloved fashion and has chosen the BHF Belfast store to donate her beautiful mayoral dress as well as picking up a few new items instore for her Spring wardrobe and homeware.

“Second-hand shouldn’t come second.

“Our message for the local community is please don’t discard preloved items but donate them to your local store.

“In many areas you can arrange for a free home collection, if you can’t get to the shop, or post them to us for free”.

Maureen McElhatton, area retail manager for BHF NI, added: “At BHF NI, we depend on the generous donations of preloved items from the public to continue to fund our lifesaving research.

“Every pound raised in our charity’s shops and online stores helps support the 225,000 people in our local communities who are living with heart and circulatory conditions.”

Former Alliance lord mayors of Belfast Michael Long and Kate Nicholl with their portraits
Former Alliance lord mayors of Belfast Michael Long and Kate Nicholl unveiling their portraits last year.

Further information on the campaign is available at www.bhf.org.uk/shop/reuse-revolution-2024