TC/1692

New Hardship Fund proves positive for sufferers of Omagh
By Karen McPhilemy

THE new £200,000 Hardship Fund for those affected by the Omagh bomb has received a positive response with up to 60 requests within one week of its launch.
Members of the Recommendation Body revealed this week that they had responded to approximately 60 requests for application packs and information regarding the fund.
Individual members of the Recommendation Body have already met with a number of individuals on a one-to-one basis to discuss the aims of the Hardship Fund and to provide assistance in completing the application pack.
Speaking on the encouraging response, Mrs Jean Caldwell, from Wave Trauma Centre, Omagh, said she was aware of the different circumstances affecting those who have enquired about the Fund.
"The Hardship Fund was created to meet the needs of those affected by the Omagh bomb. We have had enquiries from people who have never before shared their difficult experiences following the atrocity as well as people who previously never considered the financial loss that they have lived with since their circumstances changed on that day in August 1998," she said.
"What people have noted about the Hardship Fund is its emphasis on meeting at least some of the needs of the very many people who have endured real financial loss as a result of the Omagh bomb, it is as simple as that," she said.
Another representative of the Recommendation Body, Mrs Geraldine Keys of FOCUS, concurred with the generally positive response to the launch of the fund when describing one applicants belief that "this opportunity was like a dark cloud being lifted off my shoulders".
Grassroots
The fund was launched by the Omagh Victims Fund just over two weeks ago for people affected by the bomb. Promoted by a locally based 'recommendation body', the Hardship Fund is a grassroots scheme aiming to meet some of the financial needs of individuals and families who have suffered emotionally or have been forced to change their way of life in the wake of the atrocity.
A maximum award of £3,000 can be given to an individual and up to £5,000 to a family in a bid to reduce the 'financial' burden inflicted on some people following the 1998 attack which killed 29 people and unborn twins.
The fund, introduced by chairman of the Omagh Fund, Mr Sean O'Dwyer, is open to not only Omagh itself, but also Buncrana and Madrid, as well as residents in other areas throughout Northern Ireland or further afield who feel their lives have suffered.
Chairing the Recommendation Body is Mr John McKinney, chairman of the Omagh Community House. Mr McKinney will review applications on a regular basis and make their recommendations directly to the Omagh Fund.
The Body has representation from local organisations that are close to the ground and can identify or assist people to apply to this Hardship Fund.
To make an application to the Hardship Fund people can approach the Recommendation Body secretariat or any of the participating organisations for further information and an application form.
The contact details for each of the organisations are: Mr John McKinney, Recommendation Body Secretariat, tel: 02882 242 040; Mrs Bernie Nixon, Omagh Churches Forum, 028 8224 2040; Mrs Geraldine Keys, FOCUS, 028 8224 0991; Mr David Bolton, Northern Ireland Centre for Trauma and Transformation (NICTT), 028 8225 1500; Ms Maura Twohig, Tara Counselling and Personal Development Centre; 028 8225 0024; and Ms Sandra Peake, Wave Trauma Centre, 028 8225 2522.