MLAs and MPs urged to support victims' Memorial Fund

Ministers in the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister, Denis Haughey and James Leslie, today highlighted the important work done by the Northern Ireland Memorial Fund for the victims of the Troubles.

Speaking in Parliament Buildings at an information event for MLAs and local MPs, the ministers said the needs of victims of the conflict in Northern Ireland must never be forgotten.

Mr Haughey praised the work of the Memorial Fund, saying: “Victims of the conflict are among the most vulnerable individuals in our society and the devolved administration has a special obligation to ensure that their needs are met.

“The Memorial Fund is a very important element in providing practical help and support to victims, particularly individual victims who do not belong to any particular group or organisation.”

Mr Leslie said: “I take a great interest in the work of the Fund and have been very impressed by and appreciative of the practical help and support it provides for victims and survivors.

He added that the devolved administration had shown its commitment to alleviating hardship and suffering of those affected by the conflict by allocating approximately £700,000 to the Fund over the past two financial years.

The Northern Ireland Memorial Fund is an independent charity which was established following the Bloomfield Report 'We will Remember them'. It aims to provide help and support to those who have suffered as a result of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

The Memorial Fund currently operates seven schemes: provision of a small grant of money to purchase essential household items; providing a short break away from home; providing financial assistance with training and education costs; and providing grants to help with the purchase of school uniforms and other costs associated with the beginning of the school year.

Additionally, it can fund the cost of specialist wheelchairs and prosthetics and pay for private treatment and operations that can help relieve a sufferer’s chronic pain.

Both Ministers urged all those attending to support the important work of the Fund in any and every way possible and to ensure that their constituents were made aware of the help available from the various schemes operated by the Fund.

The Chairman, Dennis Licence, and two of the Fund's Directors, Celia Gourley OBE and Donna Marie McGillion - both of whom suffered very serious injuries as a result of the troubles - gave presentations on the work of the Fund.

(GMcG)