Schools’ sorrow at winding up for ‘Spirit’ Award
THE principals of three Ballymena schools are among 14 head teachers who have expressed concern at the winding up of a cross-community charity established following the IRA Poppy Day bombing.
The Spirit of Enniskillen Trust was set up after the County Fermanagh town was devastated by the 1987 bomb.
It is set to close because of financial difficulties.
In a statement, the head teachers, including those of Ballymena Academy, Dunclug College and St Louis Grammar School, said thousands of young people had been touched by the organisation’s work.
“We deeply regret the closure of the Spirit of Enniskillen Trust with the loss of key staff and several vital programmes,” they said.
“What must now happen is that a way be found to ensure that this work continues, although the trust is gone.”
The charity was inspired by peace campaigner Gordon Wilson, father of one of the 12 people killed by the explosion at Enniskillen’s war memorial on Remembrance Sunday.
The teachers’ statement said that the “witness of Gordon Wilson” had given them a firm foundation on which to build.
“The challenge now is to take forward that work,” they said.
“Financial pressure may have closed Spirit of Enniskillen Trust, but we pledge to keep alive Gordon Wilson’s foundation for a better society.”
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Weather for Ballymena
Thursday 20 June 2013
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