RAFFREY farmer Dee Heron is set to hold a ewe breeding lamb auction early next month to raise funds for Action Cancer.
Dee, an Action Cancer Skin Cancer Ambassador, is organising the auction along with his family, and hopes it will be as successful as previous years.
It is taking place at the Saintfield Livestock Mart on Friday, 4 September, and he is calling upon the local farming community for its support.
“I am delighted to be organising another auction, with the support of auctioneer Geoffrey Murphy and Saintfield Mart,” Dee said.
“All money raised stays in Northern Ireland and goes towards the charity’s cancer support services.
“However, we can’t hold an auction without the livestock so I am appealing to any farmers, local or otherwise, to consider donating to the event”.
One of Action Cancer’s key messages is that early detection can save lives and Dee knows first-hand how important this is.
“I have worked outdoors all my life and when I was a young lad making hay at 10 years old, it was shirts off running around the field thinking it was great!” he said.
“We didn’t have any sun cream on and there was no protection.
“I was diagnosed with skin cancer in 2008 after a mole on my spine looked suspicious.
“Thankfully, it was caught early and I’m now cancer free. I would encourage anyone who works outdoors to ensure they protect themselves in the sun, keep covered up and wear sun cream.
“If you have any moles, keep a close eye on them and if there are any noticeable changes, contact your GP because early detection saves lives.”
Dee has been a volunteer with the Moneyreagh and District Action Cancer Fundraising Group for over 30 years.
Mark Irwin-Watson, Community Fundraising Executive for Action Cancer, thanked Dee and everyone who has supported the charity auctions held at the local livestock mart in Saintfield.
“The auction in 2024 raised an incredible £18,215 but to raise £29,600 in 2025 was just unbelievable.
“As always, we are truly indebted to Dee, staff at Saintfield Livestock Mart, and everyone who made donations, and bid on the animals.
“We could never have anticipated the event raising such a significant amount of money and are truly grateful to all involved.”
All the money raised from the livestock auction will enable Action Cancer to continue to provide its prevention, detection and support services to local people.
The Big Bus visits up to 175 locations throughout Northern Ireland each year, including rural areas and areas of high deprivation, where health inequalities are greatest.
Breast cancer screening and health checks are offered on board the vehicle, which is supported by SuperValu and Centra.
Action Cancer has been at the heart of cancer prevention, detection and support for people in Northern Ireland for over five decades.
The services that Action Cancer provides are free to the user but come at a cost to the charity of £4 million every year.
These services include an early detection breast screening clinic, therapeutic services for people living with a cancer diagnosis, as well as people supporting a loved one with a diagnosis and a range of health improvement services.
These can be accessed from Action Cancer House in Belfast or from 15 regional locations and also on board the Big Bus.
“The Moneyreagh and District Group was formed in 1978, three years after Action Cancer was established, and has been raising money for the charity ever since,” Mark explained.
“The volunteers dedicate a tremendous amount of time and effort fundraising for the charity and have raised hundreds of thousands of pounds over the years.
“We are beyond grateful to Dee and Valerie Heron and everyone involved with the Moneyreagh and District Action Cancer Fundraising Group.
“Action Cancer receives no regular government funding so support like this is vital to our work and ensures we can deliver our range of cancer prevention, detection and support services.”
If you would like to get involved, please contact Dee Heron on 07803 906978 or email valerieheron@live.co.uk.
