BRIDGE OF HOPE STARS HELP RAISE �200,000 FOR FUND
Bridge of Hope' stars help raise �200,000 for Fund
By: JOHN McCUSKER
PRODUCERS of the charity album dedicated to the victims of the Omagh bombing have handed over a cheque for �200,000 to the appeal fund set up for those affected.
The money was raised from sales of a specially recorded album which featured a range of Irish artistes including The Corrs, Van Morrison, Sinead O'Connor and U2 and Dromore singer, Juliet Turner.
The title of the album -'Across the Bridge of Hope' -came from a poem written by 12-year-old Shaun McLaughlin from Buncrana, who was one of the 29 to die.
Shortly after the bombing, Derry-born music executive, Tim Hegarty and Belfast producer, Ross Graham set about contacting artistes with the view to recording a tribute album dedicated to those who died.
Within a month of its release last November, the album had sold 60,000 copies throughout the UK and Ireland, and every effort was made to keep costs to a minimum in order to boost profits towards the fund.
Organisers pointed out that this was only the first instalment from proceeds of the album, which they hope will eventually top the �300,000 mark.
Commenting on the project's success, Mr Hegarty said he hoped the money raised would go, in some small way, towards helping those who affected by the tragedy.
Fund chairman, Sean O'Dwyer and Omagh Council's chief executive, John McKinney accepted the donation. Afterwards, Mr O'Dwyer said he believed many people wished to reach out and help the victims in a practical way.
"Omagh was a terrible atrocity and I think that people, with the peace process going so well at that particular time, were very upset that such an atrocity should have occurred.
"This was an opportunity for them to show their goodwill to the people of Omagh" he added.
By: JOHN McCUSKER
PRODUCERS of the charity album dedicated to the victims of the Omagh bombing have handed over a cheque for �200,000 to the appeal fund set up for those affected.
The money was raised from sales of a specially recorded album which featured a range of Irish artistes including The Corrs, Van Morrison, Sinead O'Connor and U2 and Dromore singer, Juliet Turner.
The title of the album -'Across the Bridge of Hope' -came from a poem written by 12-year-old Shaun McLaughlin from Buncrana, who was one of the 29 to die.
Shortly after the bombing, Derry-born music executive, Tim Hegarty and Belfast producer, Ross Graham set about contacting artistes with the view to recording a tribute album dedicated to those who died.
Within a month of its release last November, the album had sold 60,000 copies throughout the UK and Ireland, and every effort was made to keep costs to a minimum in order to boost profits towards the fund.
Organisers pointed out that this was only the first instalment from proceeds of the album, which they hope will eventually top the �300,000 mark.
Commenting on the project's success, Mr Hegarty said he hoped the money raised would go, in some small way, towards helping those who affected by the tragedy.
Fund chairman, Sean O'Dwyer and Omagh Council's chief executive, John McKinney accepted the donation. Afterwards, Mr O'Dwyer said he believed many people wished to reach out and help the victims in a practical way.
"Omagh was a terrible atrocity and I think that people, with the peace process going so well at that particular time, were very upset that such an atrocity should have occurred.
"This was an opportunity for them to show their goodwill to the people of Omagh" he added.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0579
Published Date: 19-Aug-99
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