GERRY KELLY LAUNCHES GIVE A DAY TO OMAGH CAMPAIGN
Gerry Kelly launches 'give a day to Omagh' campaign
OMAGH is hoping to welcome bus-loads of visitors from all over Northern Ireland in the run-up to Christmas, as well-wishers from across the Province prepare to "Give A Day To Omagh'.
The shoppers are being encouraged to come to the town in an attempt to bolster trade, which has flagged considerably in the aftermath of the bomb of August 15.
Many personalities from radio, television and entertainment have promised to visit the town in support of the 'Give A Day To Omagh" campaign, which was launched by UTV broadcaster, Gerry Kelly, at the Europa Bus Centre in Belfast on Tuesday.
The first organised visit will take place on Saturday, when a group from the cross-community church group, the Clonard Fitzroy Fellowship, from Belfast, will be welcomed by members of the Omagh Churches Forum.
Secretary of the Forum, Rev. Robert Herron. minister of Trinity Presbyterian Church, said the Belfast visitors wanted to express their sympathy for the people of Omagh in a practical way.
"They will do a bit of shopping and stop-off to have a few cups of coffee in support of the traders. They are aware of the enormous impact the bomb has had on trade in the town," he said.
The "Give A Day To Omagh' campaign has the full backing of Roisin Hall, a spokesperson for the Clonard Fitzroy Fellowship.
The fellowship, which draws its membership from Clonard Monastery, Falls Road, and Fitzroy Presbyterian Church, University Street, has been running for about 10 years.
"We got together a month after the bomb and decided we had to show solidarity with the people of Omagh by doing our Christmas shopping there," she said.
"Now I can't believe how big the project has become. We want to get people into the habit of going to Omagh. It should be a natural thing for them to do. It is no great distance from Belfast."
A representative of the Omagh Traders Association. Mr Patrick Bogues, has urged public support for the initiative which will boost moral among the town's business community.
"The sheer size of the atrocity virtually decimated the commercial heart of Omagh. While still living with the terrible human tragedies, we are now rebuilding and reclaiming the town." he said.
"Visiting Omagh town and its beautiful surroundings for just one day will show solidarity with the people, the traders and the entire community."
People who visit the town will receive a badge with the slogan 'I Gave A Day To Omagh', for which the organisers hope to receive a donation to the Omagh Memorial Fund.
Support for the campaign has also come from the Omagh Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
"The rebuilding of Omagh cannot be done by businesses in isolation, the task is simply too great. It must be tackled by the entire community, with the leadership of the business organisations and the goodwill of the people," said Mr Michael Game, president of the Chamber.
He said thousands of people from all over the country have contacted traders, counsellors and church leaders asking what they could do to help the people of Omagh.
"People have been afraid to return to the town and we must lay that to rest. 'Give A Day To Omagh' is the first step in this in process'. Mr Gaine added.
OMAGH is hoping to welcome bus-loads of visitors from all over Northern Ireland in the run-up to Christmas, as well-wishers from across the Province prepare to "Give A Day To Omagh'.
The shoppers are being encouraged to come to the town in an attempt to bolster trade, which has flagged considerably in the aftermath of the bomb of August 15.
Many personalities from radio, television and entertainment have promised to visit the town in support of the 'Give A Day To Omagh" campaign, which was launched by UTV broadcaster, Gerry Kelly, at the Europa Bus Centre in Belfast on Tuesday.
The first organised visit will take place on Saturday, when a group from the cross-community church group, the Clonard Fitzroy Fellowship, from Belfast, will be welcomed by members of the Omagh Churches Forum.
Secretary of the Forum, Rev. Robert Herron. minister of Trinity Presbyterian Church, said the Belfast visitors wanted to express their sympathy for the people of Omagh in a practical way.
"They will do a bit of shopping and stop-off to have a few cups of coffee in support of the traders. They are aware of the enormous impact the bomb has had on trade in the town," he said.
The "Give A Day To Omagh' campaign has the full backing of Roisin Hall, a spokesperson for the Clonard Fitzroy Fellowship.
The fellowship, which draws its membership from Clonard Monastery, Falls Road, and Fitzroy Presbyterian Church, University Street, has been running for about 10 years.
"We got together a month after the bomb and decided we had to show solidarity with the people of Omagh by doing our Christmas shopping there," she said.
"Now I can't believe how big the project has become. We want to get people into the habit of going to Omagh. It should be a natural thing for them to do. It is no great distance from Belfast."
A representative of the Omagh Traders Association. Mr Patrick Bogues, has urged public support for the initiative which will boost moral among the town's business community.
"The sheer size of the atrocity virtually decimated the commercial heart of Omagh. While still living with the terrible human tragedies, we are now rebuilding and reclaiming the town." he said.
"Visiting Omagh town and its beautiful surroundings for just one day will show solidarity with the people, the traders and the entire community."
People who visit the town will receive a badge with the slogan 'I Gave A Day To Omagh', for which the organisers hope to receive a donation to the Omagh Memorial Fund.
Support for the campaign has also come from the Omagh Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
"The rebuilding of Omagh cannot be done by businesses in isolation, the task is simply too great. It must be tackled by the entire community, with the leadership of the business organisations and the goodwill of the people," said Mr Michael Game, president of the Chamber.
He said thousands of people from all over the country have contacted traders, counsellors and church leaders asking what they could do to help the people of Omagh.
"People have been afraid to return to the town and we must lay that to rest. 'Give A Day To Omagh' is the first step in this in process'. Mr Gaine added.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/0763
Published Date: 12-Nov-98
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