Hope Hub volunteers Donna and Doris, along with Project Manager Rachel (far right), show Eakin Healthcare nominator Emma Oduor their new freezer in action.

Eakin Healthcare launched the fund late last year to support local groups nominated by employees, helping to make a meaningful difference in the communities where the company operates. A family-owned business, Eakin Healthcare designs, manufactures, and supplies medical devices for ostomy, respiratory, and surgical needs.

With products available in over 60 countries, the company has operations across the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Japan, and the Benelux region, with core manufacturing sites in Cardiff, Comber, and Coleraine. Hope Magherafelt is one of 16 community groups to receive support in this first wave of funding, which will benefit clubs and organisations across Ireland (north and south), Scotland, and Wales. A vital community charity, Hope Magherafelt is dedicated to transforming lives by providing practical support to those facing poverty and addressing the root causes of hardship.

Rachel McClure, Project Manager at Hope Magherafelt, shared how the funding will make an impact:

“As a local charity and part of the Trussell Trust foodbank network, our mission is not only to feed those in poverty but also to help tackle the underlying issues that families and individuals face. One of the practical ways we do this is through the Magherafelt Foodbank. Our Hope Hub is a welcoming, warm space open to the entire community, offering tea, coffee, and sweet treats for a donation. Thanks to Eakin Healthcare’s support, we’ve been able to purchase a freezer, allowing us to store bulk food donations and homemade traybakes – ensuring we can continue to serve those in need.”

The nomination for funding came from Emma Oduor, Neonatal Product Specialist at Eakin Healthcare, who has seen firsthand the impact of the Hope Hub in her hometown:

“This is the only charity of its kind in Magherafelt, and with the rising cost of living, the need for it has never been greater. Speaking with the charity’s workers and volunteers, it’s clear how deeply they care about their community. The Hope Hub not only provides essential support, but it also offers dignity – people can come in, enjoy a warm welcome, and have a coffee or a meal that they can donate towards if they wish, without the stigma of simply receiving aid. It’s about creating a space where everyone feels valued and supported.”

Through initiatives like Working Together, Improving Lives, Eakin Healthcare continues to invest in the well-being of communities, ensuring that organisations like Hope Magherafelt can keep providing crucial support where it’s needed most.