Children’s Day celebrations held

This year the Welcome Project decided to hold the event in a more compact venue which allowed them to maximise safety for all in attendance

It also enabled them to showcase all the entertainment and activities to everyone present.

The organisers felt this would and did encourage more of a community spirit among those that attended.

There were upto 2,000 people from both BME and indigenous communities to promote and enhance inclusion and integration within Lisburn City.

Jeffrey Donaldson MP, MLAs Jonathan Craig and Paul Givan, and local councilor Rhoda Walker were in attendance on the day.

Also present on the day were representatives from various agencies, voluntary and community organisations, such as EANI, PSNI, NIFRS, Lisburn Sure Start, SE Health & Social Care Trust, Cancer Focus NI and local community groups.

This was an exciting event which offered a variety of activities for all age groups.

The event kicked off at 12 noon with an instrumental performance from Musicland followed by a Puppet Show from BME Lisburn Youth, dance performances from Folk Dances from Around the World, LTDance Studio, Filipino Youth Group, Naomi Orr School of Dance.

Members of the Lisburn Band Forum performed several cultural tunes and the stage performances were concluded by live music from respectively Myles Milliken and Musicland.

Participants and supporters also enjoyed a number of activities on the day.

A spokesperson from the Welcome Project said: “We were delighted to welcome so many new faces to the event.

“It was indeed a very successful event; however we would not be able to organise it without support from other parties.

“Therefore we would like to take this opportunity to thank our sponsors Tayto, Car4parts and Dominika Shop and supporters The Resurgam Trust, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Lisburn SAFE, Old Warren PS & PTA, Wolny Wydech, NI Home Group, PSNI, NIFRS, EANI, PolacywNI.uk and all the Volunteers for their support and commitment.

“We would like to give a special thanks to Peter Flanagan from Lisburn’s 98 FM who compered the event.”

The event was funded by NIHE Community Grant Fund and Big Lottery’s Awards for All.