BT/0589

Bomb fund over £5m and rising
New target is set for next year
By Enda McClafferty

THE Omagh Bomb fund has passed the £5m mark, it was announced today.
And the Trustees have now set a final target of £6m, which they hope to reach within the next year.
Details of the sum were released today, to coincide with the first anniversary of the bomb, which falls on Sunday.
Tomorrow, August 14, was also the date set for final notification of proposed fundraising events.
However, the Trustees have stressed that the fund will remain open for the foreseeable future.
"The date of August 14 was set to try and bring in as much money as possible in the first 12 months," a spokesman for the fund explained.
Around £4.1m has already been handed out to the bereaved families and 328 of the injured.
Those who lost loved ones were given a substantial sum, while those who suffered physical injures received varying amounts, depending on the extent of their condition.
Their figure was set by a team of medical experts, who assessed each case individually.
Although the exact breakdown of how the money was raised will not be released until the fund officially closes, it is thought a sizeable amount came from both the world of sport and entertainment.
They included:
£750,000 from the GAA;
£300,000 from a golf tournament organised by Tyrone professional Darren Clarke;
£200,000 from the sale of the Omagh tribute CD Across the Bridge of Hope;
£80,000 " from a golf tournament organised by the father of Omagh bomb victim James Barker;
£30,000 from a charity tennis match between Boris Becker and Greg Rusedski; and
£21,000 from concerts of local singer Domnic Kirwan.
Tens of thousands of pounds were also raised through the recent charity soccer matches involving Manchester United, Chelsea, Northern Ireland and the Republic.
Donations have also poured in from other fundraising events held right across the world.
According to fund chairman Brian Oliphant, there have also been quite a number of sizeable personal contributions, details of which will not be disclosed at the wishes of the donators.
"The response to the fund has been nothing short of overwhelming," he said.
"The tragedy touched the hearts of a lot of people and that has been reflected in the sizeable donations which have flooded in over the past 11 months."
However, Mr Oliphant also revealed how working with the injured and bereaved has had a major impact upon the lives of all five trustees.
"I can honestly say that all our lives have changed forever. Our perspective and outlook on life have altered dramatically as a result of our work with those effected by the bomb," he said.
"We have been amazed by their courage and determination to battle through what has been a living nightmare. They have shown us the true value of life."