KINALLEN KIDS JOIN PROTEST CAMPAIGN
SCHOOLCHILDREN from neighbouring Kinallen are among the latest to get behind the campaign to save Dromore's Skeagh House residential home.
P7 pupils from Fair Hill Primary School have taken up the cause following a direct plea from residents during a recent community visit by the youngsters.
The schoolchildren, aged 10 and 11, visited Skeagh House last week as part of a long-term project in connection with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.
They were there primarily to entertain Skeagh House residents but they came away with a new understanding of the fears and anxieties caused by Southern Health and Social Care Trust plans to close the residential home.
On the way the youngsters had already called at the DUP's constituency office in Church Street, where, as well as handing in a letter highlighting the potential fate of the endangered Red Kite, they signed the petition - launched by the local DUP in conjunction with The Leader - opposing the Trust's closure plans.
But actually speaking to Skeagh House residents brought their plight into sharper perspective for the Fair Hill pupils.
"The reason they went to Skeagh House was to do a presentation about birds, linked to their RSPB work," said teacher Alison Stanfield. "They talked to the residents about birds and the residents, in turn, talked to the children about the proposals to close Skeagh House and the effect they were having.
"One of the residents said he felt they were just going to be put out into the car park.
"They were hoping the children would get involved with the campaign to save Skeagh House and while the children had a fantastic time, it really brought the residents' plight to light for them."
Having responded by gathering information and quotes from the residents, the Fair Hill pupils are now planning to write to Lagan Valley MP and MLA Jeffrey Donaldson to register their own protest at closure plans.
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Weather for Banbridge
Thursday 24 May 2012
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Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
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