Generous legacy from an Omagh man benefits UNICEF

A generous legacy from the estate of a late Omagh man has enabled the Coleraine and District Branch of UNICEF to support a number of projects in the developing world.

Money has been allocated to the Haiti earthquake victims, the neo-natal programme and the Schools for Africa project. Under the terms of the legacy half of the money had also to be used for children within Northern Ireland, and last Thursday, Mrs. Margaret Binnie, Chairman of the Coleraine and District Branch presented a cheque for over £9,000 for UNICEF’s Rights Respecting Schools Programme to the Belfast Education and Library Board, who will administer the scheme in the city.

“The board is delighted to accept this legacy from UNICEF on behalf of the young people of Belfast,” said BELB Chief Executive David Cargo.

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The Rights Respecting School Award recognises schools that have put the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child at the heart of their planning, policies, practice and ethos.

“For children and young people, knowing that they have the right to be heard in decisions that affect them boosts not only their sense of security but also their self-confidence. This opens the way to developing and applying the skills, language and concepts that allow them to realize their rights and to advocate for the rights of children everywhere,” said David McGimpsey, UNICEF’s Northern Ireland Education Officer.

Despite the generosity of those who remember UNICEF in their wills, there is still an on-going need for donations to support the charity in its response to emergencies.

Last week the UN declared a famine in parts of southern Somalia. More than two million children under five in the area are acutely malnourished, including almost 500,000 children suffering from life-threatening severe acute malnutrition.

Donations can be made to the local branch treasurer, Mrs. E. Ludlow, 7 Grange Road, Coleraine BT52 1NG or on the UNICEF web-site: www.unicef.org.uk/helpfamine .