HOSPITAL CAMPAIGN STEPPED UP
Hospital campaign stepped up
By Steven McCaffery
A MAN who lost his wife in the Omagh bombing is spearheading efforts to rescue the hospital which saved the lives of many victims in the immediate aftermath of the atrocity.
Laurence Rush, whose wife Libby was killed in the August bombing, has launched a postcard campaign aimed at securing services at the Tyrone County Hospital - currently the subject of a Western Health and Social Services Board review.
Mr Rush has printed thousands of the cards, complete with the addresses of British Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Secretary of State Mo Mowlam - with further cards destined for US President Bill Clinton - appealing for them to upgrade services at the hospital.
The card carries a silhouette of Omagh, together with a plea for medical services to be upgraded. Mr Rush insists this would be a practical tribute to those killed and injured and has asked members of the public to sign and post a card. Mr Rush, who runs a printing
business, has received help in producing the card from fellow tradesmen from across the UK who were keen to make a show of solidarity with the people of Omagh. As proposals are put forward for a memorial to those murdered in the blast, Mr Rush has said improvements to the hospital could create jobs and offer help to those struggling with injuries.
"Without a hospital what is going to happen to the people injured here?" he told the Irish News.
There are people with missing limbs, children traumatised... we are going to be ferrying to Belfast and Derry for the rest of our lives.
"They are talking about bringing jobs to this area - we should invest in our hospital. We could have nurses and doctors, all the other staff - we could have a factory for caring built up here. That would be the best tribute to the people of this town."
The Real IRA bomb attack claimed 29 lives, killed unborn twins and led to the death of a further man in a related road accident.
The card is being distributed throughout the Omagh area - and should soon be available across Northern Ireland. It will also be sent to Irish communities in America, as a card lobbying US. President Bill Clinton to help in the hospital campaign, is also being prepared.
The card reads: "From the evil and misery of the Omagh bombing something positive and good can come.
"Many in our community wish as a memorial to those killed and maimed an upgraded hospital service with air ambulance to serve the west. Additionally first aid training provided through our schools and the development of hospital computer links to assist consultants in the rapid remote diagnosis of casualties."
By Steven McCaffery
A MAN who lost his wife in the Omagh bombing is spearheading efforts to rescue the hospital which saved the lives of many victims in the immediate aftermath of the atrocity.
Laurence Rush, whose wife Libby was killed in the August bombing, has launched a postcard campaign aimed at securing services at the Tyrone County Hospital - currently the subject of a Western Health and Social Services Board review.
Mr Rush has printed thousands of the cards, complete with the addresses of British Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Secretary of State Mo Mowlam - with further cards destined for US President Bill Clinton - appealing for them to upgrade services at the hospital.
The card carries a silhouette of Omagh, together with a plea for medical services to be upgraded. Mr Rush insists this would be a practical tribute to those killed and injured and has asked members of the public to sign and post a card. Mr Rush, who runs a printing
business, has received help in producing the card from fellow tradesmen from across the UK who were keen to make a show of solidarity with the people of Omagh. As proposals are put forward for a memorial to those murdered in the blast, Mr Rush has said improvements to the hospital could create jobs and offer help to those struggling with injuries.
"Without a hospital what is going to happen to the people injured here?" he told the Irish News.
There are people with missing limbs, children traumatised... we are going to be ferrying to Belfast and Derry for the rest of our lives.
"They are talking about bringing jobs to this area - we should invest in our hospital. We could have nurses and doctors, all the other staff - we could have a factory for caring built up here. That would be the best tribute to the people of this town."
The Real IRA bomb attack claimed 29 lives, killed unborn twins and led to the death of a further man in a related road accident.
The card is being distributed throughout the Omagh area - and should soon be available across Northern Ireland. It will also be sent to Irish communities in America, as a card lobbying US. President Bill Clinton to help in the hospital campaign, is also being prepared.
The card reads: "From the evil and misery of the Omagh bombing something positive and good can come.
"Many in our community wish as a memorial to those killed and maimed an upgraded hospital service with air ambulance to serve the west. Additionally first aid training provided through our schools and the development of hospital computer links to assist consultants in the rapid remote diagnosis of casualties."
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0451
Published Date: 19-Oct-98
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