PRESS RELEASE

Dungannon Council Offices

Photo:  Mr Kenneth Reid Mayor, Mr Brendan McConville, & Mr Alan Burke Chief Executive

Portrait of Darren Clarke

Champion Darren invited to be a Patron for Disabled”

“We all need a Buddy and a Champion.  Buddy Bear Trust has invited Darren Clarke, World Champion Golfer to become an honorary Patron of the Dungannon based charity to help children with cerebral palsy”, said Brendan McConville, Chairman as he handed one of his oil paintings of Darren Clarke to Mayor Kenneth Reid and  Alan Burke Chief Executive.

“ It was a real challenge for me to paint a portrait of Darren as I normally paint landscapes to help raise funds for the Buddy Bear Trust School.  A parent pointed out that it was a massive challenge for her son to attempt his first tiny step at three years of age. Life is about facing challenges but having a Buddy lightens the load. We all need to share and be helped.

I hope Darren enjoys it. If not I will paint him a painting of our beautiful Dungannon Park where he played as a child”, said Brendan.

DARREN’S TOWN

Darren, with his family roots in the Community and his long association with Dungannon Golf Club is an ideal person to become a Parton and Champion of our children with cerebral palsy.

The Dungannon Community founded and continues to support the Buddy Bear Trust in its campaign to give parents of severely disabled children the option and opportunity of receiving Conductive Education. Children have attended the school from all parts of N.Ireland.  One little girl currently travels every day from near Portrush, Darren’s current club to Dungannon.

Buddy Bear Parents and friends join with the community in praising Darren and the members of Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council which has decided to give a unique honour to Darren.  Next Wednesday will be a very special day in Dungannon and we are delighted to be part of it.

Hopefully should Darren sign the painting the Buddy Bear Trust will be able to use it to help promote the independent charity school which has to rely on public donations.

SPONSORS NEEDED

We need local Champions and Sponsors to help our children achieve greater independence while we once again try to encourage the Education Boards to make it available as an option for children with cerebral palsy.  There are no miracles but it works and has improved the lives of children.  Donations may be made via www.justgiving.com/buddybeartrust or to the Ulster Bank, Dungannon.

TRIANGLE OF HOPE

We have also invited Darren to sign the Triangle of Hope Photograph which has been signed by the church and political leaders, David Cameron PM, the late Holy Father John Paul 11, Peter Robinson  present First Minister, and Dr Ian Paisley, Martin McGuinness, Deputy First Minister and world Snooker Champion, Denis Taylor and many others.  We are hopeful that President Obama will eventually sign it as well. 

David Cameron, MP signs Triangle of Hope

Miss Ildiko Veres, Principal—Peto Trained Conductor    and Brendan McConville Chairman

Triangle of Hope Photograph: signed by Political and Church Leaders (including Pontiff John Paul 11) in responses to the pleas of parents for Conductive Education