GIVE A DAY TO VISIT US
Give a day to visit us plea by victims of Omagh
By Dan McGinn
HELP Omagh return to normality - that was the message civic leaders issued today on the eve of a new initiative to help the town recover from the August 15 bomb.
People across Northern Ireland are being urged to take part in tomorrow's 'Give a Day to Omagh' campaign - travelling to the town in a show of solidarity.
The initiative, run by Omagh Chamber of Commerce in association with traders, church and civic leaders, hopes to reverse the fall-off in the number of people visiting the town since the bomb.
And while there is concern about the economic impact this slump is having. Chamber of Commerce president Michael Gaine was at pains to stress 'Give a Day to Omagh' is not a commercial initiative.
'Give A Day to Omagh' aims to restore confidence in the town. Omagh before the bomb was a vibrant town centre but has in recent weeks resembled, a ghost town.
"We want people from Omagh and beyond - especially those who contacted us in the aftermath of the bomb, anxious to do something but at a loss to know what to do - to visit here tomorrow and help us reclaim our town.
"People have been understandably reluctant to go into the town for a number of reasons, but the longer that goes on, the more likely Omagh will be left behind.
"Christmas will be to difficult for so many people in this town, so it would be something of a morale booster if people turn out in force tomorrow and in subsequent days to help get this town back on its feet."
The campaign has drawn the support of a number of celebrities including UTV's Gerry Kelly, who confirmed he will be giving a day to Omagh.
"As one of the hundreds of thousands of people around the world who really wanted to help Omagh in the aftermath of that terrible atrocity, I think this is an excellent way of harnessing support for the people of the town," he said.
"I really hope people turn out in force tomorrow because the town needs more than just a few bob. It needs a visible show of support. I, for one, will certainly be giving Omagh a day."
By Dan McGinn
HELP Omagh return to normality - that was the message civic leaders issued today on the eve of a new initiative to help the town recover from the August 15 bomb.
People across Northern Ireland are being urged to take part in tomorrow's 'Give a Day to Omagh' campaign - travelling to the town in a show of solidarity.
The initiative, run by Omagh Chamber of Commerce in association with traders, church and civic leaders, hopes to reverse the fall-off in the number of people visiting the town since the bomb.
And while there is concern about the economic impact this slump is having. Chamber of Commerce president Michael Gaine was at pains to stress 'Give a Day to Omagh' is not a commercial initiative.
'Give A Day to Omagh' aims to restore confidence in the town. Omagh before the bomb was a vibrant town centre but has in recent weeks resembled, a ghost town.
"We want people from Omagh and beyond - especially those who contacted us in the aftermath of the bomb, anxious to do something but at a loss to know what to do - to visit here tomorrow and help us reclaim our town.
"People have been understandably reluctant to go into the town for a number of reasons, but the longer that goes on, the more likely Omagh will be left behind.
"Christmas will be to difficult for so many people in this town, so it would be something of a morale booster if people turn out in force tomorrow and in subsequent days to help get this town back on its feet."
The campaign has drawn the support of a number of celebrities including UTV's Gerry Kelly, who confirmed he will be giving a day to Omagh.
"As one of the hundreds of thousands of people around the world who really wanted to help Omagh in the aftermath of that terrible atrocity, I think this is an excellent way of harnessing support for the people of the town," he said.
"I really hope people turn out in force tomorrow because the town needs more than just a few bob. It needs a visible show of support. I, for one, will certainly be giving Omagh a day."
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0499
Published Date: 13-Nov-98
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