CAMPAIGN TO REMEMBER DEATHS OVER CHRISTMAS
Campaign to remember deaths over Christmas
By Sharon O'Neill
TWO mothers cradling their newborn babies yesterday lit candles for peace and appealed for people to join them in the Light A Candle On Christmas eve campaign.
Women Together For Peace decided to focus on new life for the launch in the Jubilee Maternity Unit at Belfast City Hospital.
They hope people will place candles in windows in homes across Northern Ireland on Christmas eve in memory of all the victims of sectarian violence.
Spokeswoman Anne Carr said the campaign, now in its sixth year, is a "symbol of hope for a new beginning in Northern Ireland".
"Some will face the festive season without their loved ones who were killed during the troubles," she added.
"We must have a new beginning for the sake of our children and look into our hearts to do more to bring peace."
Vice-president of the group Pat Campbell said she is looking forward to a peaceful future - her son Philip was shot dead by the UFF on January 4, 1992, as he worked in a chip van at the Moira roundabout.
"Let us hope we have seen the last of the bloodshed," she said.
"Look on this as a rebirth of Northern Ireland and try and put the bigotry and hatred behind us."
Mothers Shirley Muirhead and Anne Byrne watched as midwives sang festive songs as scented candles were lit and given to patients and staff.
"I was delighted to support this cause," said Shirley, who gave birth to David on Sunday.
And midwifery manager Eunice Foster paid tribute to her dedicated team.
"We have provided a quality service throughout the troubled years and bringing new life into the world is a symbol of hope for a peaceful future."
By Sharon O'Neill
TWO mothers cradling their newborn babies yesterday lit candles for peace and appealed for people to join them in the Light A Candle On Christmas eve campaign.
Women Together For Peace decided to focus on new life for the launch in the Jubilee Maternity Unit at Belfast City Hospital.
They hope people will place candles in windows in homes across Northern Ireland on Christmas eve in memory of all the victims of sectarian violence.
Spokeswoman Anne Carr said the campaign, now in its sixth year, is a "symbol of hope for a new beginning in Northern Ireland".
"Some will face the festive season without their loved ones who were killed during the troubles," she added.
"We must have a new beginning for the sake of our children and look into our hearts to do more to bring peace."
Vice-president of the group Pat Campbell said she is looking forward to a peaceful future - her son Philip was shot dead by the UFF on January 4, 1992, as he worked in a chip van at the Moira roundabout.
"Let us hope we have seen the last of the bloodshed," she said.
"Look on this as a rebirth of Northern Ireland and try and put the bigotry and hatred behind us."
Mothers Shirley Muirhead and Anne Byrne watched as midwives sang festive songs as scented candles were lit and given to patients and staff.
"I was delighted to support this cause," said Shirley, who gave birth to David on Sunday.
And midwifery manager Eunice Foster paid tribute to her dedicated team.
"We have provided a quality service throughout the troubled years and bringing new life into the world is a symbol of hope for a peaceful future."
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0257
Published Date: 22-Dec-98
Related Images
