Derry charity calendar aiming to raise funds for Northlands Centre

A new calendar aiming to raise funds for the Northlands Centre will be hitting the shelves just in time for Christmas.

Popular Derry entertainer Micky Doherty swapped the mic for the camera in a bid to raise money for the addiction treatment service.

Earlier this year it emerged that the Northlands Centre had its core funding cut by the Department of Health despite seeing a 300% increase in the number of people seeking to access its service.

Since the announcement that its funding would be cut, numerous fundraising initiatives for the charity have sprung up with the latest seeing Micky getting up close and personal with the lens.

Speaking about the calendar Micky said: “Chris Ferry from Ferry Clever approached me about it and I wasn't really up for it, I was a bit hesitant about the whole thing.

“I didn't think anybody would buy it but Chris said he thought people would go for it and that it's for such a great cause.

“I gave it a bit of thought and after all the training I've been doing with ironmans, I thought why not I'll get my kit off and get people to donate.

“So I contacted Stephen Latimer and Stepenhn took me up the town and we got the photographs done within half an hour, with no filters. Just me in a pair of underpants running around the town!”

Despite the playful nature of the calendar, Micky said there is a serious message behind it.

“The calendar is special to me,” Micky explained. “It's not just me posing, there's an affirmation for every month in the calendar. An affirmation is a positive quote. So the calendar is like a journey of mental health recovery.

“It's all about personal mental health. It's about helping people who are struggling with their mental health. The quote will be there for people to read who are struggling and hopefully give them a boost.

“Me in my underwear is just to catch peoples eyes but the aim is to raise that awareness about mental health and obviously raise some money for the Northlands Centre.

“The Northlands is very close to my heart. I've been in recovery since I'm 26 but I've never completely got it. I went into White Oaks Treatment Centre, I've done counselling, and I've done my aftercare and all of the therapies through the Northlands Centre as have loads of us have done that.

“Everybody knows I host and MC charity nights and fundraisers for other charities but I don't actually do any of the fundraising myself, so this is my own thing to ask people to get behind and give some money for such a vital service in this city.

Derry Feis winner to feature in evening of Les Foyer des Artiste ‘baroque brilliance’

Les Foyer des Artistes Midwinter Gala begins at 7.30pm on Thursday, December 4 at St Columb’s Hall

Derry's Deputy Mayor and Foyle Network Foundation urge continued support for Christmas Appeal

Ongoing community support needed for Christmas Appeal by Foyle Network Foundation as winter need is expected to rise

“The calendars are going on sale within the next week or so and you can buy them at Ferry Clever.

“I just want to thank Stephen Latimer, Chris Ferry, Mark Soul from Iprint, Marie McCloskey for providing me with costumes and Peader O'Donnell's.”

Not content with the calendar, Micky will also be hosting a Gala Ball for the Northlands Centre in February.

“The Northlands Centre have also asked me to help organise a ball, which will be held in the Everglades in February.

“The ball is for anybody who has been in recovery or whose family has been affected by someone in recovery.

“The tickets are out already and you can buy them in the Northlands Centre,” he said.