Power NI donation adds festive sparkle to Belfast charity

A four-figure donation by Northern Ireland’s leading energy provider has brought an extra helping of festive cheer to the children supported by a not-for-profit Belfast organisation.

Awarded through Power NI’s ‘Helping Hands’ initiative, the £1,200 gifted to Angel Eyes Northern Ireland has been used to support its annual accessible Christmas pantomime.

Based in the city’s Innovation Factory, it empowers local children with vision impairment through a blend of education, support, and inclusive opportunities. In the final quarter of 2025, it has supported fourteen families and planned and delivered thirteen events.

Founded by parents of children with a vision impairment, the primary aim of Angel Eyes NI is to ensure both primary and secondary school children can maximise their potential.

In addition, Angel Eyes NI provides professional training thataims to equip teachers and professionals with resources to better understand and helps kids with impaired vision.

Power NI employees Christopher Mullan, Adam McCabe, Indira McCarthy and Jacques Tohill nominated the charity to receive funding, which has been put toward its annual accessible Christmas pantomime, which this year is Goldilocks and The Three Bears.

The event allows children to experience a fully accessible and meaningful Christmas event with their families, while also raising community awareness as the cast receives Virtual Reality (VR) training as well as touch tour training by an eye clinician.

Angel Eyes NI representative, Kerrie Cartmill, said: “Thanks to this generous funding from Power NI, we have been able to host a fully accessible pantomime experience for one hundred and forty people, including children and young people with vision impairment, as well as their siblings, and parents/carers.

“For many of our families, activities like this are often out of reach due to accessibility challenges, financial pressures, or the need for specialist support. This donation from Power NI has removed those barriers.”

The Helping Hands scheme is part of Power NI’s ongoing efforts to give back to communities across Northern Ireland, providing financial aid to local projects that promote well-being, sustainability and social inclusion.