RED CROSS HAILS BRAVE OMAGH
RED CROSS HAILS 'BRAVE OMAGH'
Prize won't be awarded again
By Una Bradley
THE brave people of Omagh were being singled out today for a unique award by the Red Cross.
In a break with tradition, the charity was to present the whole community with a one-off prize for courage.
And the charity created the Zeneca Care in Crisis award especially for the occasion and will never award it again.
The Red Cross has a policy of only awarding individuals, but made an exception following the appalling horror of the Real IRA bomb.
"We have never done anything like this before," said a spokesman.
"This is a very special award and it will not be repeated.
"But we wanted to pay tribute to the great courage of Omagh and the way in which ordinary people and organisations worked together in the aftermath of the tragedy."
Red Cross volunteers were among those who co-ordinated the emergency response to the August 15 massacre which claimed 29 lives.
A letter from Mo Mowlam praising the bravery of Omagh's people was to be read out at today's prizegiving at London's Langham Hilton hotel.
Among those attending the glittering ceremony were the actress Helen Mirren, agony aunt Claire Raynor and TV celebrity Angela Rippon.
The director Sperrin Lakeland health trust, David Bolton, the chief executive of Omagh Council, John McKinney, and the clinical services manager of Omagh Hospital, Glenys Henry, were to accept the award.
Responding to news of the honour, manager of the Omagh Fund Brian Oliphant said he was "delighted".
"It think it's tremendous. The people of Omagh have been through enough, God knows.
"But to get recognition from such a prestigious organisation - it's a lovely gesture."
Omagh businessman Dai Watterson - who recently organised a sell-out concert for the relief fund - said it meant "an awful lot".
"Everybody in this town has been affected. I hope this will boost morale.
"Even on a practical level, it should help fund-raising efforts. There are still an awful lot of people suffering with injuries and grief."
Omagh council chairman Sean Clarke said the accolade would be "much appreciated" by ordinary people.
"I'm sure everyone is as touched as I am.
"The Red Cross did an awful lot of good work here and they have a special place in people's hearts."
To date, the Omagh Fund has raised �693,000 and given out �405,244 to 197 people.
A Belfast PhD student, Hussein Kadhum, was also to be honoured at today's awards for rescuing a neighbour trapped in a blazing block of flats.
Prize won't be awarded again
By Una Bradley
THE brave people of Omagh were being singled out today for a unique award by the Red Cross.
In a break with tradition, the charity was to present the whole community with a one-off prize for courage.
And the charity created the Zeneca Care in Crisis award especially for the occasion and will never award it again.
The Red Cross has a policy of only awarding individuals, but made an exception following the appalling horror of the Real IRA bomb.
"We have never done anything like this before," said a spokesman.
"This is a very special award and it will not be repeated.
"But we wanted to pay tribute to the great courage of Omagh and the way in which ordinary people and organisations worked together in the aftermath of the tragedy."
Red Cross volunteers were among those who co-ordinated the emergency response to the August 15 massacre which claimed 29 lives.
A letter from Mo Mowlam praising the bravery of Omagh's people was to be read out at today's prizegiving at London's Langham Hilton hotel.
Among those attending the glittering ceremony were the actress Helen Mirren, agony aunt Claire Raynor and TV celebrity Angela Rippon.
The director Sperrin Lakeland health trust, David Bolton, the chief executive of Omagh Council, John McKinney, and the clinical services manager of Omagh Hospital, Glenys Henry, were to accept the award.
Responding to news of the honour, manager of the Omagh Fund Brian Oliphant said he was "delighted".
"It think it's tremendous. The people of Omagh have been through enough, God knows.
"But to get recognition from such a prestigious organisation - it's a lovely gesture."
Omagh businessman Dai Watterson - who recently organised a sell-out concert for the relief fund - said it meant "an awful lot".
"Everybody in this town has been affected. I hope this will boost morale.
"Even on a practical level, it should help fund-raising efforts. There are still an awful lot of people suffering with injuries and grief."
Omagh council chairman Sean Clarke said the accolade would be "much appreciated" by ordinary people.
"I'm sure everyone is as touched as I am.
"The Red Cross did an awful lot of good work here and they have a special place in people's hearts."
To date, the Omagh Fund has raised �693,000 and given out �405,244 to 197 people.
A Belfast PhD student, Hussein Kadhum, was also to be honoured at today's awards for rescuing a neighbour trapped in a blazing block of flats.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0495
Published Date: 12-Nov-98
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