Karen Mullan of the Pink Ladies.
Two Derry charities are to front a “Day of Action” taking place in the city next week in opposition to welfare cuts.
Destined and the Pink Ladies and Pink Panthers Cancer Support Group will be teaming up Dove House Advice Services on Thursday next, 27 November at 1.00pm in the Guildhall Square, and are asking people to attend for 15 minutes to show support for the start of their campaign.
Pink Ladies and Pink Panthers Cancer Support Group are a group of women and men who have been affected by cancer and have been lobbying for many years against the “cost of cancer,” equal access to treatment and drugs and against the “unjust treatment” of people when faced with the benefits system.
Karen Mullan, chair of the Pink Ladies, said the “so called welfare reform bill” would be devastating for thousands of cancer patients who were already struggling with diagnosis and treatments and should not have to worry or think about money matters whilst trying to recover and cope.
She added: “Stand behind us against this attack on our health and living standards.”
Dermot O’Hara, Destined manager.
Destined is a local charity that supports people with learning disabilities. 98% of its members with a learning disability are in receipt of long term welfare benefits.
Dermot O’Hara, Destined manager said people with learning disabilities would be stressed out and worried by the new procedures.
He added: “We are asking you to support the rally and show that it is not acceptable to pick on those who are the most vulnerable in the community.”
Dove House Advice Services have been delivering free and confidential face-to-face advice for 30 years now and as a local independent advice service continue to pro-actively highlight and challenge on-going changes to benefits and health services.
Maureen Collins co-ordinator of the project said: “We need to stand against these proposed cuts and encourage you to stand behind us as together we can make a difference , we are not against reform in the true sense of the word, change things make them better.”
She concluded: “I have no doubt this bill is not about good change, it’s not about reforming the benefit system to ensure it is fair and efficient, but with our opposition let’s make it better “
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