News from June 2008

Ever wondered what happens to those items you have to leave behind at the airport?

Published: 19 June 2008

At Belfast International we know that passengers can sometimes be frustrated by regulations but travellers can rest assured that those items which are prohibited and are abandoned at security and not reclaimed are given to a good cause.

Friends of The Cancer Centre (FCC) at Belfast City Hospital are recent recipients of these banned items.  Staff at the airport' s information desk have made hampers from the banned items in order that local charities can raffle them off to raise money for vital funds.

Colleen Shaw, Fundraising manager with FCC said, "We are very grateful to the airport for providing us with these beautiful hampers, this is the second time we have benefited, with the first hampers raising over £2000.  I am sure passengers will be glad to know that the items are going to an excellent cause.

Suzanne Blair, Head of Security at Belfast International Airport said, "When travelling through the airport we ask passengers to be mindful of the security restrictions that remain in place when it comes to liquids, however, there are still many hundreds of liquid items abandoned weekly.  Many of those items which are left behind can be used to benefit charities, and we believe that this is an excellent way of recycling these goods and assisting the charity fund raising."

**Friends of the Cancer Centre (formerly Friends of Montgomery House) have been supporting cancer patients and their families since the early 80's. With the closure of Belvoir Park Hospital in March 2006 'Friends' now based at the Cancer Centre, Belfast City Hospital will continue to contribute to the care, treatment and support of cancer patients and their families throughout Northern Ireland.