Northern Ireland Kidney Research Fund

Northern Ireland Kidney Research Fund We support and promote research into the causes, prevention and possible cures for kidney disease. The members are all voluntary.

The Northern Ireland Kidney Research Fund was the first transplant charity to be founded in Northern Ireland over 50 years ago. It is the only charity to fund research into kidney disease in Northern Ireland. It also supports and endorses organ donation, belonging to the sub stakeholder group involved with the new bill for 'Soft Opt Out.'

NIKRF is a voice for public awareness of kidney disease and its consequences. It thanks all who selflessly transform the lives of patients and their families through organ donation. There are various events hosted by NIKRF throughout the year culminating in the famous Waringstown Cavalcade on the last Friday in June. NIKRF has spent the time during Covid 19 by rebranding. Exciting times ahead.

visit our website: http//nikidneyresearch.org

💙 Feel Good Friday: a personal connection and a community that came together to help.NIKRF’s Kay and Ivan were delighted...
09/10/2026

💙 Feel Good Friday: a personal connection and a community that came together to help.

NIKRF’s Kay and Ivan were delighted to receive two cheques totalling £11,600, raised through the generosity of two wonderful local fundraising events.

⛳ £8,100 from Gerard Willoughby’s Captain’s Day at Temple Golf Club.

🚗 £3,500 from the Temple & District Vintage and Classic Club Rally.

Gerard chose Northern Ireland Kidney Research Fund as his charity of the year because of his wife Kerry-Ann’s family’s personal connection to Polycystic Disease. That connection makes this gift all the more meaningful.

Behind these cheques are people who gave their time, made a donation, took part and worked hard to bring everyone together. Each played a part in this wonderful achievement.

To Gerard, Kerry-Ann and their family, everyone at Temple Golf Club Limited and all the members and supporters of the Temple and District Vintage and Classic Club, thank you from all of us at NIKRF.

Your kindness will help us continue funding kidney research for people and families affected by kidney disease. 💙

Help shape how patients and carers are involved in kidney researchThe Northern Ireland Kidney Research Fund is developin...
09/10/2026

Help shape how patients and carers are involved in kidney research

The Northern Ireland Kidney Research Fund is developing a new way for people living with kidney disease and their families to have a greater say in kidney research, helping researchers understand what matters to them and shape how future research is designed.

We are delighted to announce our first co-design workshop, hosted by Dr Michael Corr, recipient of NIKRF’s Queen’s Foundation Clinical Fellowship award. Michael is passionate about involving patients and families in kidney research. This workshop is a real opportunity to share your experiences and help shape our new Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) network.

You do not need any research experience. We simply want to hear your views about what would make patient involvement useful, accessible and worthwhile. PPI means research carried out with patients and carers, rather than simply about them.

🗓 Tuesday 20 October
🕡 6.30pm to 8.30pm
📍 Seminar Room, Level 11, Belfast City Hospital

💬 A thank you payment can be offered for your time and reasonable travel expenses can be supported.

Have your say. Your experience matters.

If you would like to come along or find out more, please email:
📧 [email protected]

Please share with anyone who may be interested.

💙 Friendly faces, shared experiences and a connection through kidney research.Our first Antrim and Ballymena Kidney Conn...
08/10/2026

💙 Friendly faces, shared experiences and a connection through kidney research.

Our first Antrim and Ballymena Kidney Connections gathering was a lovely opportunity to catch up with old friends and welcome new faces.

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Dunsilly Hotel. It was a great start to our new local group, bringing together people connected with kidney disease to chat, share experiences and discover how they can support research that makes a difference.

Could you join us next time? Whether you are living with kidney disease, a family member, carer or friend, you will be warmly welcomed.

📅 Our next gathering will take place in November, with the date, time and venue to be confirmed.

📧 To register your interest or find out more, contact [email protected]

Come along, meet friendly faces and discover how you can support kidney research. Please spread the word and help us grow our Kidney Connections community. 💙

💙 Your experience could help make rare disease research more accessible 💙What makes it difficult to take part in researc...
08/10/2026

💙 Your experience could help make rare disease research more accessible 💙

What makes it difficult to take part in research? What has worked well? Researchers at Queen’s University Belfast want to hear your experiences to explore how participation could be easier across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

NIKRF is supporting this research and encouraging our community to get involved.

Are you aged 18 or over and living in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland? You may be eligible if you:
• Have been diagnosed with or are being investigated for a rare disease.
• Care for someone with a rare disease.
• Research rare diseases.
• Are a rare disease advocate or charity representative.

📝 The survey takes approximately 15 minutes, with an optional interview for those who would like to share more. Participation is voluntary and responses will be anonymised.

📅 The survey closes on 17 November 2026.
👉 Scan the QR code on the attached poster to take part.

For more information or to request another format, email [email protected] with the subject “Rare Disease Research 2026”.

Please share this post to help more voices be heard. 💙

💛 What could research mean for the future of kidney care?Join the Northern Ireland Kidney Research Fund for Kidney Conne...
08/10/2026

💛 What could research mean for the future of kidney care?

Join the Northern Ireland Kidney Research Fund for Kidney Connections, our Research Open Night, to meet the researchers we support and discover how our Legacy and Bursary Awards are making a difference to kidney research.

Whether you are living with kidney disease, supporting someone who is, working in kidney care or simply curious, we would love to welcome you.

There is plenty of room, so bring a friend and help us fill the lecture theatre with people who care about the future of kidney care.

📅 Wednesday 18 November 2026
🕖 7pm
📍 Postgraduate Centre, Belfast City Hospital

☕ Refreshments will be served, with an opportunity to chat with our researchers afterwards.

💻 Unable to attend in person? Join us on Microsoft Teams:
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/385272327319330?p=F4ombPb2UYoKkDNxB7

Everyone is welcome. Please share this invitation.

Did you know that one cornea donor can restore or transform the sight of up to 10 people? 💙💛Today, we’re highlighting th...
08/10/2026

Did you know that one cornea donor can restore or transform the sight of up to 10 people? 💙💛

Today, we’re highlighting the incredible gift of sight and the life-changing power of tissue donation.

Last year alone, 94 people in Northern Ireland had their sight restored through corneal donation. Yet across the UK, the cornea is the single most common tissue people opt out of donating - with 86% of those not donating all organs choosing to specifically exclude corneas.

There are many common myths around cornea donation, but the reality is:
👁️ Almost anyone can donate – Age, wearing glasses or contact lenses, poor eyesight, and many medical conditions are not barriers.
👁️ Eyes are never transplanted whole – Only the clear outer layer (the cornea) is used to restore vision.
👁️ Dignity & care – Specially trained teams ensure a natural appearance is maintained, meaning families can still spend peaceful time with loved ones.

Your decision could mean someone gets to see their family around the dinner table again, return to work, or read their favourite books.

If you’ve already registered your organ donation decision, take two minutes to check that corneas are included - or opt in today.
👉 Register or update your decision: www.organdonationni.info

Taking on the Belfast City Marathon or Team Relay in 2027? Make every mile count. 🏃‍♀️️🏃‍♂️💙💛Cheapest entry tier places ...
07/10/2026

Taking on the Belfast City Marathon or Team Relay in 2027? Make every mile count. 🏃‍♀️️🏃‍♂️💙💛

Cheapest entry tier places are currently available, but will be closing soon! If you have secured your spot (or are about to) and haven't chosen a charity yet, run with purpose for .

Why fundraise with NIKRF?
✅ Every pound stays in Northern Ireland to fund ground-breaking local research.
✅ No minimum fundraising targets - set a goal that works for you.
✅ Direct, simple setup through our dedicated campaign page.

With kidney disease cases continuing to rise across Northern Ireland, the funds you raise directly support life-changing and life-saving research right here at home.

Setting up your fundraising is completely seamless:
🔵 Solo Marathon Runners: Create your personal page, set your own goal, and share your story.
🔵Relay Teams: Enter your team of up to five, connect your individual pages under one team banner, and track your combined total together!

👉 Join our campaign & set up your JustGiving page here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/nikrfbelfastmarathon2027

Questions or need help getting started? Get in touch with Kay, or visit nikidneyresearch.org to learn more about our work.

Kidney Connections – Join Us Tomorrow Evening 💙💛We’re delighted to invite you to our first Kidney Connections get-togeth...
06/10/2026

Kidney Connections – Join Us Tomorrow Evening 💙💛

We’re delighted to invite you to our first Kidney Connections get-together tomorrow evening at the Dunsilly Hotel. The idea behind Kidney Connections is simple – to bring people together locally who have a connection with, or an interest in, the work of the Northern Ireland Kidney Research Fund.

Whether you have personal experience of kidney disease, have supported someone who does, have fundraised for NIKRF in the past, or would simply like to find out more, you are very welcome to come along.

This will be a relaxed and informal evening – a chance to have a cuppa and a chat, meet others and share ideas about what Kidney Connections could look like local

We’d love to hear your thoughts on things such as local support and connections, fundraising, wellness walks, talks and information sessions, and other activities that might be helpful or enjoyable.

There are no commitments expected – this first meeting is simply about getting people together, hearing your ideas and seeing where it might lead.

📅 Wednesday 7th October
🕖 7.00pm
📍 Dunsilly Hotel

Please feel free to bring a friend or pass this invitation on to anyone you think might be interested. We’d love to see you there.

Do you or a loved one rely on patient transport to get to and from dialysis? 🚐💙Getting to life-saving treatment on time ...
06/10/2026

Do you or a loved one rely on patient transport to get to and from dialysis? 🚐💙

Getting to life-saving treatment on time and getting home safely matters. The Public Health Agency’s 10,000 MORE Voices initiative, in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, is currently gathering feedback from patients and carers who use the Patient Care Service.

Your voice is vital in shaping these services. Whether your experience has been smooth and supportive, or you have faced delays, booking issues, or communication challenges - good or bad, your feedback directly helps drive improvements.

They want to hear about:
🔵 Booking and communication
🔵 Timeliness and reliability
🔵 Comfort, accessibility, and support during journeys
🔵 Overall satisfaction

🔗 Have your say here: https://tinyurl.com/10knias

Prefer another format?
Paper copies, Easy Read versions, and telephone-assisted completions are also available:
📞 Call: 02895 361124
📧 Email: [email protected]

Please take a few moments to share your experience, or share this post with someone in our renal community who uses the service.

What a fantastic morning at Moira Demesne for today’s Kidney Connections Wellness Walk! ☀️🍂Thank you so much to everyone...
05/10/2026

What a fantastic morning at Moira Demesne for today’s Kidney Connections Wellness Walk! ☀️🍂

Thank you so much to everyone who laced up their trainers, came out for some fresh air, and shared great conversations with us. There’s truly nothing better than walking, talking, and connecting with such a supportive community.

Missed out today? Don't worry - we do this every Monday!

Here are the details you need to join us next time:
🗓 When: Every Monday
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM
📍 Where: Moira Demesne

🐾 Pups welcome: Four-legged walking buddies on leads are always encouraged!
♿ Fully accessible: Paved paths suitable for prams, wheelchairs, and walkers of all paces.

Whether you’re living with kidney disease, supporting a loved one, or simply looking for friendly company and gentle exercise, everyone is welcome.

Pop it in your calendar, grab a friend (two- or four-legged!), and come walk, talk, and connect with us next Monday. We’d love to see you there! 💙👟

Address

Belfast City Hospital, Renal Unit
Belfast
BT97ER

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