CHARITY TREK FOR OMAGH ARRIVES
Charity trek for Omagh arrives
By Elaine Fltzsimons
Newry Correspondent
TWO Tipperary walkers who have been striding across Ireland in a bid to raise money for the Omagh memorial fund are expected to arrive in the Co Tyrone town today.
Flatmates Billy Toomey and Hilary Hughes, from Tipperary town, crossed the border and arrived in Newry on Tuesday night, after walking through Cashel, Portlaoise, Kildare, Naas, Bray, Dublin, Drogheda and Dundalk.
After learning of the Omagh bombing , which killed 28 people and injured over 200, the couple signed books of condolence in Tipperary but felt it was "too easy" and decided to start a walk on August 23.
"We really thought all this (bombing) was over and almost everyone else did as well, so it was so shocking, it was devastating," said Hilary.
Backed by their urban district council and a local peace convention, which is held in Tipperary every year, the pair have opened an account with the Bank of Ireland so people can make their donations.
"We know thousands of people signed the books of condolence, but if they could see it in their hearts to put themselves out again and donate anything to the fund we would be really grateful," she added.
The pair will be greeted in Omagh by council chairman Sean Clarke and council chief executive John McKinney and it is expected that a cheque will be presented to the council after the account closes on September 25.
Anyone who wants to make a donation is asked to contact the Bank of Ireland Omagh Support Group account number 40218637 sort code 906101.
By Elaine Fltzsimons
Newry Correspondent
TWO Tipperary walkers who have been striding across Ireland in a bid to raise money for the Omagh memorial fund are expected to arrive in the Co Tyrone town today.
Flatmates Billy Toomey and Hilary Hughes, from Tipperary town, crossed the border and arrived in Newry on Tuesday night, after walking through Cashel, Portlaoise, Kildare, Naas, Bray, Dublin, Drogheda and Dundalk.
After learning of the Omagh bombing , which killed 28 people and injured over 200, the couple signed books of condolence in Tipperary but felt it was "too easy" and decided to start a walk on August 23.
"We really thought all this (bombing) was over and almost everyone else did as well, so it was so shocking, it was devastating," said Hilary.
Backed by their urban district council and a local peace convention, which is held in Tipperary every year, the pair have opened an account with the Bank of Ireland so people can make their donations.
"We know thousands of people signed the books of condolence, but if they could see it in their hearts to put themselves out again and donate anything to the fund we would be really grateful," she added.
The pair will be greeted in Omagh by council chairman Sean Clarke and council chief executive John McKinney and it is expected that a cheque will be presented to the council after the account closes on September 25.
Anyone who wants to make a donation is asked to contact the Bank of Ireland Omagh Support Group account number 40218637 sort code 906101.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0219
Published Date: 03-Sep-98
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