The family of missing Derry teenager Andrew Quigley have called for the people of the city to attend a “show of support” for two local lifesaving charities taking place this weekend.
Andrew Quigley.
Andrew, from Fergleen Park in Galliagh, has not been seen since the early hours of Saturday morning last after attending a friend’s birthday party.
A search of the River Foyle and its shoreline – involving Foyle Search and Rescue, the 19-year-old’s family and friends as well as hundreds of volunteers – is now in its sixth day after some his personal belongings were discovered on Foyle Bridge at 7.40am on Saturday morning.
PSNI and Irish Coast Guard helicopters have also taken part in the search.
Andrew’s family have revealed he had sought help for a drug problem but none was available.
They and many in Derry have been angered by a 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).
FS&R had sought £200,000 to set up a counselling centre and extend its headquarters at Prehen.
Derry mother Sadie O’Reilly who tragically lost her son Tony through a heroin drug addiction in 1999, set up HURT 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.
Revealing details of the “show of support” to take place at both ends of the Peace Bridge at 1.00pm this Saturday, Andrew’s uncle Dee thanked all those who had taken part in the search as well as those who had provided food, shelters and portaloos.
Dee said: “We would like to thank the public, the town and business community and groups and any one else who has put their help forward and we ask as as many people as possible come out and show support for Foyle Search and Rescue and HURT.
He added: “We do not want anyone to go on to the Peace Bridge but to stand shoulder to shoulder and spread out left and right along the railings at each end.”
A petition has been organised to have the funding refusals overturned.
To sign “HURT’s Fight to Save Lives” petition, go to: http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/hurts-fight-to-save-lives/signatures.html.
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