Cissie raises funds for Zimbabwean school for her 100th birthday

Wednesday October 23rd 2024

Bishop George Davison presented Mrs Cissie Brown with a card on her 100th birthday.

Mrs Cissie Brown, a lifelong member of Agherton Parish Church, celebrated her 100^th birthday on October 13. And she marked this milestone by giving, rather than by receiving, gifts.

Cissie had said she did not want presents – instead, she wanted to raise money for The Learn Association’s Victory School in Zimbabwe. With help from her family, Cissie set up an online donation page and raised a fantastic £1826.55.

Her grandson Marc O’Neill told local media that for her 99th birthday, Cissie had raised £970 for Dementia NI in tribute to her late husband and sister who died a day apart in 2022.

“This year, to celebrate her 100th and in lieu of gifts she decided to raise funds for a charity founded in Coleraine called ‘The Learn Association’ to support the ‘Victory Community Primary School’ in Zimbabwe,” Marc explained.

“Zimbabwe is a country with a rich history and culture, but it is also a country with many challenges. One of the biggest challenges facing Zimbabwe is education. The country’s education system is underfunded and understaffed, which means that many children do not have access to quality learning.

“The Learn Association is dedicated to tackling the challenges facing education in Zimbabwe. They believe that education is the key to a better future, and they are committed to working to improve the quality of education for all Zimbabweans.”

The Rev Malcolm Ferry, rector of Agherton Parish, visited Cissie on her birthday along with Bishop George Davison.

Cissie is the last of six siblings. Shortly after her birth, her parents and family emigrated to Nova Scotia in Canada, but this was short lived and has been Cissie’s only trip outside of Northern Ireland in her 100 years.

Cissie worked in the Coleraine Shirt and Collar Factory and as a housekeeper for ‘Whites of Whitehaven’ in Portstewart and ‘Tinsley’s’ who also owned a shop in Portstewart.

She married Robert ‘Bobby’ Brown from Coleraine and had one son, David. Cissie now has three grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

She continues to live independently in her own home and on her big day she received visits from not only family and friends, but also from her rector the Rev Malcolm Ferry and the Bishop of Connor, the Rt Rev George Davison.

Happy birthday Cissie!