On Tuesday 5th May a memorial evening was held in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter to remember the former PUP leader David Ervine and to award various voluntary and community groups with funding. The evening was hosted by Mr Brian Rowan with special guests in attendance including David’s wife Jeanette, Sir Hugh Orde, Chief Constable of the PSNI, Dawn Purvis, Leader of the Progressive Unionist Party and Belfast City Mayor Tom Hartley.
David Ervine Foundation was established two years ago after the former Assembly member and Progressive Unionist Party leader died from a heart attack. The Foundation funds cross-community groups working with young people and during Tuesdays memorial event funds raised during the past year was handed out to various groups. The aim of the Foundation set up in David’s memory, is to enable disadvantaged children and young people to reach their full potential – to give them a vision and a chance to do their best.
The Niamh Louise Foundation was one of the worthy charitable organisations who received funding from the David Ervine Foundation. Eimear Mc Kearney from the Niamh Louise Foundation and Mr Ivan Little (Charity Patron) attended the special event to receive the award. Presentations were made by Jeanette Ervine and Avila Kilmurray, (Director of the Community Foundation N). Dawn Purvis commended the work of the Niamh Louise Foundation and was delighted that the money granted would be used to run ‘T4T- Training for Teens’ which will incorporate OCN Level 2 in Mentoring and a two day workshop on confidence building. Eimear Mc Kearney from the Niamh Louise Foundation commented after the event, “we are so pleased that the charity has been granted this money as it will allow our youth group, DATA and other vulnerable young people in the community who have been affected by suicide and self harm to increase their own knowledge and skills and enhance their personal development”.
The evening was enhanced by music by local singer/songwriters, Eilidh Patterson, Gerry Creen and Anthony Toner. The event also included the annual David Ervine Memorial Talk – Resolving Conflict Through Dialogue – which was delivered by PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh who took as his theme “it’s good to talk”.
The evening was concluded with an auction were a handwritten tribute by Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney to David Ervine which was snapped up for £1,250.