RED CROSS PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE CARERS OF OMAGH
Red Cross pays tribute to the carers of Omagh
Three collect special award
THE British Red Cross yesterday honoured the people of Omagh with special community award.
'Representatives from Omagh hospital and council were presented with a Care In Crisis honour in London.
Awards were also presented to 16 winners from all over the United Kingdom for individual acts of bravery and care.
John McKinney, chief executive of Omagh District Council, Glynis Henry, senior nurse at Tyrone County Hospital and David Bolton, Director of Health and Personal Social Services Trust in Omagh collected the accolade on behalf of the town.
The blast on August 15 killed 29 people and injured more than 200 others. The Real IRA said it carried out the attack.
The awards are presented annually to "people who have given tactical and emotional support to people in an emergency or crisis".
Celebrities Helen Mirren, Nerys Hughes, Claire Rayner, John Stapleton and Angela Rippon presented them.
Mr McKinney spoke beforehand about the devastation in Omagh and the town's recovery since.
He said: "It is still very close to people's minds undoubtedly, but people are looking to the future.
"The effects of the bomb are very visible and the fact that the buildings are still in disarray and that you see people with disabilities as a result of it. People can't get away from it.
"But people are starting to pick up the pieces."
Mr Bolton added: "The timing of this is very important as it comes three months after the event when we thought the rest of the world had forgotten. It is an encouragement to the people of Omagh.
"Everyone in the whole of the British isles have been very generous and kind."
Claire Rayner said: "The special award this year is the one to the whole community of Omagh.
"We talked about it and decided it was a must. They showed what friend, relatives and next door neighbours can do when they join together when faced with such a terrible situation.
"They are an example to all communities of the sort of care system that can be held in a Community."
Three collect special award
THE British Red Cross yesterday honoured the people of Omagh with special community award.
'Representatives from Omagh hospital and council were presented with a Care In Crisis honour in London.
Awards were also presented to 16 winners from all over the United Kingdom for individual acts of bravery and care.
John McKinney, chief executive of Omagh District Council, Glynis Henry, senior nurse at Tyrone County Hospital and David Bolton, Director of Health and Personal Social Services Trust in Omagh collected the accolade on behalf of the town.
The blast on August 15 killed 29 people and injured more than 200 others. The Real IRA said it carried out the attack.
The awards are presented annually to "people who have given tactical and emotional support to people in an emergency or crisis".
Celebrities Helen Mirren, Nerys Hughes, Claire Rayner, John Stapleton and Angela Rippon presented them.
Mr McKinney spoke beforehand about the devastation in Omagh and the town's recovery since.
He said: "It is still very close to people's minds undoubtedly, but people are looking to the future.
"The effects of the bomb are very visible and the fact that the buildings are still in disarray and that you see people with disabilities as a result of it. People can't get away from it.
"But people are starting to pick up the pieces."
Mr Bolton added: "The timing of this is very important as it comes three months after the event when we thought the rest of the world had forgotten. It is an encouragement to the people of Omagh.
"Everyone in the whole of the British isles have been very generous and kind."
Claire Rayner said: "The special award this year is the one to the whole community of Omagh.
"We talked about it and decided it was a must. They showed what friend, relatives and next door neighbours can do when they join together when faced with such a terrible situation.
"They are an example to all communities of the sort of care system that can be held in a Community."
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/368
Published Date: 13-Nov-98
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