Diamond Jubilee walk to top of Slieve Donard for charity

Diamond Jubilee walk to top of Slieve Donard for charity

LOCAL walkers are being encouraged to take part in a major event as part of the Queen’s diamond jubilee celebrations and, at the same time, raise money to help build a school in Uganda.

The Fields of Life charity has been handed the honour of being selected to light a beacon on top of Slieve Donard on June 4.

The local beacon will be one of a number lit at the highest peaks across the UK as part of the Northern Ireland diamond jubilee celebrations.

In the run up to the event, Fields of Life is urging all keen walkers from the Down area to join them in a sponsored climb on June 4 in a bid to raise vital funds to build a school in northern Uganda.

The local charity, which works to bring positive change to communities in East Africa through the provision of quality education, clean water and health promotion, is urging up to 500 volunteers from across the province to join them in the climb which will be led by television presenter Lynda Bryans.

Fields of Life Director David Charleton said the charity is “honoured and privileged” to have been chosen as the only Northern Ireland charity to take part in the four peak beacon celebrations. He also hopes the charity can use the forthcoming opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of the vulnerable children in Uganda.

He continued: “We are asking up to 500 people to join us on June 4 and take part in a sponsored climb of the highest mountain in Northern Ireland.

“We hope if everyone participating can try to each raise £150, we would have the £75,000 necessary to build a primary school which will directly benefit orphans and former child soldiers.”

Mr. Charleton explained that by providing an opportunity for education, this literally gives children a chance for survival and hope for the future.

He added: “I’m appealing to everyone aged 15 or over from the Down area to consider taking part with the knowledge that their combined efforts will result directly in providing an education to those children in greatest need.

“This unique event will mark a significant and historic occasion in the Queen’s reign while at the same time bringing hope to hundreds of children in Uganda.”

The lighting of the beacon at Slieve Donard will coincide with the lighting of beacons at the three other highest peaks in the UK, moments prior to the Queen lighting the national beacon at Buckingham Palace at 10.30pm.

For more information or to register to take part in the event, contact Helen Keown at the Fields of Life office on (028) 3839 0395 or email helen@fieldsoflife.com.