MARATHON MIKE IN RUNAWAY TRIBUTE
Marathon Mike in runaway tribute
By IAN STARRETT
RELATIVES of those who died or were maimed in Northern Ireland's worst terrorist bombing atrocity have praised the kindness of a US marine.
Capt Mike Hudson will be running in today's Belfast Marathon to raise money for the Omagh families' court battle to bring to justice the republican gang who caused the massacre in the Tyrone town five years ago.
He was so touched by the Omagh families' thoughts for the United States after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, that he decided to make a personal return gesture.
Michael Gallagher, who lost his son in the Omagh atrocity, said yesterday: "This is a wonderful gesture by Mike. The money he will raise is coming at a critical time for us and we are extremely grateful to Mike for doing this.
"Also, there is still a need for us to raise public awareness that the people of Omagh are still fighting for justice."
He said that the Omagh Victims Group still heeds to raise half a million pounds to fund civil cases against the bomb suspects by August 15.
"So time is of the essence," said Mr Gallagher.
Capt Hudson, who trained soldiers for the Iraqi war, was resting in Belfast yesterday after flying 6,000 miles to run in Belfast today.
Mike visited Omagh in May, 2000 but it was in the hours after America's 9/11 disaster that the 32-year-old learned how kind the people of Omagh were, even though they were still suffering from their own tragedies.
He said: "It was in the aftermath of September 11 that I really knew how special they were as they were the first people to get on the phone and show their concern for us.
"When I got home, there were so many messages of support from the Omagh people and this is one way that I can help repay them."
Mr Gallagher said that he and other representatives of the families would be in Belfast today to cheer Mike on.
By IAN STARRETT
RELATIVES of those who died or were maimed in Northern Ireland's worst terrorist bombing atrocity have praised the kindness of a US marine.
Capt Mike Hudson will be running in today's Belfast Marathon to raise money for the Omagh families' court battle to bring to justice the republican gang who caused the massacre in the Tyrone town five years ago.
He was so touched by the Omagh families' thoughts for the United States after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, that he decided to make a personal return gesture.
Michael Gallagher, who lost his son in the Omagh atrocity, said yesterday: "This is a wonderful gesture by Mike. The money he will raise is coming at a critical time for us and we are extremely grateful to Mike for doing this.
"Also, there is still a need for us to raise public awareness that the people of Omagh are still fighting for justice."
He said that the Omagh Victims Group still heeds to raise half a million pounds to fund civil cases against the bomb suspects by August 15.
"So time is of the essence," said Mr Gallagher.
Capt Hudson, who trained soldiers for the Iraqi war, was resting in Belfast yesterday after flying 6,000 miles to run in Belfast today.
Mike visited Omagh in May, 2000 but it was in the hours after America's 9/11 disaster that the 32-year-old learned how kind the people of Omagh were, even though they were still suffering from their own tragedies.
He said: "It was in the aftermath of September 11 that I really knew how special they were as they were the first people to get on the phone and show their concern for us.
"When I got home, there were so many messages of support from the Omagh people and this is one way that I can help repay them."
Mr Gallagher said that he and other representatives of the families would be in Belfast today to cheer Mike on.
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/515
Published Date: 05-May-03
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