TRADERS IN PLEA TO GIVE A DAY
Traders in plea to 'Give A Day'
TRADERS in Omagh today appealed for support in the difficult run-up to Christmas.
The "Give A Day To Omagh' campaign aims to encourage people to visit the bomb-ravaged town.
And businessmen have urged people to do some Christmas shopping in the town to drum up badly needed business.
Urging support for the initiative. Patrick Bogues from the Omagh Traders' Association said: "The sheer size of the atrocity virtually decimated the commercial heart of Omagh.
"While still living with the terrible human tragedies, we are now rebuilding and reclaiming the town.
"Visiting Omagh town and its beautiful surroundings for just one day will show solidarity with the people, the traders and the entire community."
Already, the drive has been endorsed by the main church leaders in Ulster, who are to visit the town on Saturday.
President of the Omagh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Michael Gaine, appealed to others to follow in their footsteps.
"The rebuilding of Omagh cannot be done by businesses in isolation - the task is simply too great.
"It must be tackled by the entire community, with the leadership of the business organisations and the goodwill of the people.
"People have been afraid to return to the town and we must lay that ghost of terror.
'"Give A Day To Omagh' is the first step in this process."
The campaign was to be officially launched today by UTV's Gerry Kelly at Belfast's Europa Bus Centre.
TRADERS in Omagh today appealed for support in the difficult run-up to Christmas.
The "Give A Day To Omagh' campaign aims to encourage people to visit the bomb-ravaged town.
And businessmen have urged people to do some Christmas shopping in the town to drum up badly needed business.
Urging support for the initiative. Patrick Bogues from the Omagh Traders' Association said: "The sheer size of the atrocity virtually decimated the commercial heart of Omagh.
"While still living with the terrible human tragedies, we are now rebuilding and reclaiming the town.
"Visiting Omagh town and its beautiful surroundings for just one day will show solidarity with the people, the traders and the entire community."
Already, the drive has been endorsed by the main church leaders in Ulster, who are to visit the town on Saturday.
President of the Omagh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Michael Gaine, appealed to others to follow in their footsteps.
"The rebuilding of Omagh cannot be done by businesses in isolation - the task is simply too great.
"It must be tackled by the entire community, with the leadership of the business organisations and the goodwill of the people.
"People have been afraid to return to the town and we must lay that ghost of terror.
'"Give A Day To Omagh' is the first step in this process."
The campaign was to be officially launched today by UTV's Gerry Kelly at Belfast's Europa Bus Centre.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0489
Published Date: 10-Nov-98
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