CANDLE APPEAL FOR VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE
Candle appeal for victims of violence
'Remember the dead of Troubles'
By JULIE O'CONNOR
THE group Women Together yesterday launched its Light A Candle campaign to remember all the victims of violence.
The launch, held in the Jubilee Maternity Unit of Belfast City Hospital, called on the people of Northern Ireland to place a candle in the windows of their homes on Christmas Eve.
At the ceremony, midwife Lisa Robinson sang a beautiful rendition of When A Child Is Born, cradling her six-week old baby Beth.
Anne Carr, co-ordinator of Women Together, said the group had chosen the maternity unit to focus on the hope that a new-born baby brings into the world.
She added: "This ceremony is to represent our hope for the future, but it is also to remember all those who have lost loved ones over the years, and who have to face the festive season without them.
"But now we are all so hopeful, we are looking to new life, new beginnings and it is for the sake of our children that we need to build a safe and peaceful environment."
Guests of honour at the launch were little six-day-old Christopher Byrne from Downpatrick, and David Muirhead from the Taughmonagh estate in Belfast, who was less than 24 hours old.
Christopher's proud mum, Anne, said: "I'm just delighted to be involved in this today because this is focusing on future peace and it's an honour to be involved in anything that could possibly help to contribute to that.
"I have two other children and like Christopher I want to see them grow up in a peaceful place where violence is finished with for good."
Also at the moving ceremony were two mothers who had lost their sons in the Troubles.
Pat Campbell's son Philip was shot dead by loyalists in January 1992.
The president of Women Together, Pat said Christmas was always a difficult time of the year for people who had lost loved ones.
"There are lots and lots of victims out there who will be having a lonely Christmas with many empty chairs at the Christmas table," she said.
"We remember especially Brian Service who was killed in north Belfast and all the victims of Omagh.
"Today we hope and pray that we have seen the last of the killing and we can now try and put all the bigotry and hatred behind us."
Maura Keily's 18-year-old son Gerard was shot dead in 1975 while he was a student in Queen's University, Belfast.
She added: "Every time someone dies, it is a mini-Omagh for the family involved. All loss of life is heartbreaking and this event is important in letting people know that people are thinking of them and remembering them over Christmas."
After the ceremony commemoration candles were presented to all the new mothers and staff in the maternity unit.
'Remember the dead of Troubles'
By JULIE O'CONNOR
THE group Women Together yesterday launched its Light A Candle campaign to remember all the victims of violence.
The launch, held in the Jubilee Maternity Unit of Belfast City Hospital, called on the people of Northern Ireland to place a candle in the windows of their homes on Christmas Eve.
At the ceremony, midwife Lisa Robinson sang a beautiful rendition of When A Child Is Born, cradling her six-week old baby Beth.
Anne Carr, co-ordinator of Women Together, said the group had chosen the maternity unit to focus on the hope that a new-born baby brings into the world.
She added: "This ceremony is to represent our hope for the future, but it is also to remember all those who have lost loved ones over the years, and who have to face the festive season without them.
"But now we are all so hopeful, we are looking to new life, new beginnings and it is for the sake of our children that we need to build a safe and peaceful environment."
Guests of honour at the launch were little six-day-old Christopher Byrne from Downpatrick, and David Muirhead from the Taughmonagh estate in Belfast, who was less than 24 hours old.
Christopher's proud mum, Anne, said: "I'm just delighted to be involved in this today because this is focusing on future peace and it's an honour to be involved in anything that could possibly help to contribute to that.
"I have two other children and like Christopher I want to see them grow up in a peaceful place where violence is finished with for good."
Also at the moving ceremony were two mothers who had lost their sons in the Troubles.
Pat Campbell's son Philip was shot dead by loyalists in January 1992.
The president of Women Together, Pat said Christmas was always a difficult time of the year for people who had lost loved ones.
"There are lots and lots of victims out there who will be having a lonely Christmas with many empty chairs at the Christmas table," she said.
"We remember especially Brian Service who was killed in north Belfast and all the victims of Omagh.
"Today we hope and pray that we have seen the last of the killing and we can now try and put all the bigotry and hatred behind us."
Maura Keily's 18-year-old son Gerard was shot dead in 1975 while he was a student in Queen's University, Belfast.
She added: "Every time someone dies, it is a mini-Omagh for the family involved. All loss of life is heartbreaking and this event is important in letting people know that people are thinking of them and remembering them over Christmas."
After the ceremony commemoration candles were presented to all the new mothers and staff in the maternity unit.
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/155
Published Date: 22-Dec-98
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