BOYZONE BOOST FOR BOMB GIRL
Boyzone boost for bomb girl
Claire's dream comes true
By Staff Reporter
HEART-THROBS Boyzone paid a special visit to Omagh to give a 15-year-old schoolgirl blinded in the August bombing the surprise of her life.
Claire Gallagher arrived yesterday at a local parochial hall in the town expecting to meet only with Noel Edmunds for a recording of his "Christmas Presents" show, unaware Boyzone were waiting back stage.
Claire had been selected as one of eight stories for the Christmas Day show after being nominated by a local man whose daughter attends music class with the Omagh girl. She went along, with her family, to St Joseph's Hall knowing that some type of surprise had been arranged, but had never imagined that a meeting with her pop idols awaited her.
The boy band, when approached by Noel Edmunds, had agreed to use their day off from a hectic schedule to travel to Omagh and present Claire with an early Christmas present.
Claire was asked by Noel to perform a piece on the piano and unprompted, chose to play Boyzone, unaware that the boys were waiting to come on stage and join in the rendition of "No Matter".
As Claire began to play the first notes of the song the boys emerged from behind a curtain and launched into song. The overwhelmed schoolgirl was unable to continue.
Claire was then presented with a state of the art computer system by the chart topping Dublin-based band to assist her in her music studies, which she vowed to continue in the wake of the bombing.
The talking computer carries a special message to Claire from Boyzone wishing her a happy Christmas and New Year and opens with one of the band's tracks.
The 15-year-old has already been awarded a scholarship at an American University to achieve her ambition of a music career.
Lead singer Ronan Keating described Claire as an absolute inspiration to the community adding: "If everyone had the strength that she has coming out of this terrible time.
"We were over the moon to help in any way especially as Christmas approaches. Her story will touch a lot of hearts."
Ronan said he hoped the Christmas present would help Claire in the future. The band have extended a personal invite to Claire for their Belfast concert in the King's Hall on November 27.
Claire's mum, Marie, said she was totally overwhelmed by Boyzone's performance.
Claire's dream comes true
By Staff Reporter
HEART-THROBS Boyzone paid a special visit to Omagh to give a 15-year-old schoolgirl blinded in the August bombing the surprise of her life.
Claire Gallagher arrived yesterday at a local parochial hall in the town expecting to meet only with Noel Edmunds for a recording of his "Christmas Presents" show, unaware Boyzone were waiting back stage.
Claire had been selected as one of eight stories for the Christmas Day show after being nominated by a local man whose daughter attends music class with the Omagh girl. She went along, with her family, to St Joseph's Hall knowing that some type of surprise had been arranged, but had never imagined that a meeting with her pop idols awaited her.
The boy band, when approached by Noel Edmunds, had agreed to use their day off from a hectic schedule to travel to Omagh and present Claire with an early Christmas present.
Claire was asked by Noel to perform a piece on the piano and unprompted, chose to play Boyzone, unaware that the boys were waiting to come on stage and join in the rendition of "No Matter".
As Claire began to play the first notes of the song the boys emerged from behind a curtain and launched into song. The overwhelmed schoolgirl was unable to continue.
Claire was then presented with a state of the art computer system by the chart topping Dublin-based band to assist her in her music studies, which she vowed to continue in the wake of the bombing.
The talking computer carries a special message to Claire from Boyzone wishing her a happy Christmas and New Year and opens with one of the band's tracks.
The 15-year-old has already been awarded a scholarship at an American University to achieve her ambition of a music career.
Lead singer Ronan Keating described Claire as an absolute inspiration to the community adding: "If everyone had the strength that she has coming out of this terrible time.
"We were over the moon to help in any way especially as Christmas approaches. Her story will touch a lot of hearts."
Ronan said he hoped the Christmas present would help Claire in the future. The band have extended a personal invite to Claire for their Belfast concert in the King's Hall on November 27.
Claire's mum, Marie, said she was totally overwhelmed by Boyzone's performance.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0677
Published Date: 20-Nov-98
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