As the search for Andrew Quigley enters a fifth day, the people of Derry are being urged to sign a petition calling for the refusal of funding to two local lifesaving charities to be reversed.
Andrew Quigley.
Since Andrew’s family revealed he had been struggling with a drug problem, there has been a growing anger in the city at the decision of the Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) to refuse funding to Foyle Search and Rescue (FS&R) and Have Your Tomorrows (HURT).
The “HURT’s Fight to Save Lives” was launched yesterday and in its first day was signed by over 1,000 people.
To sign the petition, go to: http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/hurts-fight-to-save-lives/signatures.html.
FS&R was set up as a charity in July 1993 and has adopted the role of protecting human life in and around the River Foyle in Derry, recognised as one of the most dangerous and fastest flowing rivers in Europe, infamous for its high level of mortality.
The dedication of its volunteers patrolling the river and its banks in all seasons and in all weathers is the single greatest asset of FS&R.
Last year, FS&R attended a total of 195 incidents in the River Foyle, which included the rescue of 12 people and 66 “causes for concern” being led to places of safety for help. FS&R also had the sad task of recovering seven bodies from the river.
The charity has been refused £200,000 funding to set up a counselling centre and extend its headquarters at Prehen,
HURT (Have Your Tomorrows), founded by Derry mother Sadie O’Reilly who tragically lost her son Tony through a heroin drug addiction in 1999, was set up to provide support to drug and alcohol users and their families.
The charity is the only holistic drug and alcohol support group in Derry which provides a listening ear service and is currently not in receipt of funding and therefore it is very much dependent on donations.
HURT has been refused vital funding to work in partnership with FS&R to provide critical intervention to vulnerable people at risk on or near the river.
The petition reads: “HURT calls on the OFMDFM to rescind the recent decision to decline funding to HURT and Foyle Search & Rescue to provide essential life saving services through the Social Investment Fund! Please.”
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