From left, Keith Wright, from Interface Now, Grainne McCloskey, from The Big Lunch, Deputy Mayor Alderman Gary Middleton, Margaret Cunningham, Habinteg Housing and Peter Osborne, Big Lottery Fund NI at the launch of the Big Lunch on Derry’s Peace Bridge.
Derry showed what community spirit was all about when representatives from community organisations across the North West congregated on the Peace Bridge at the launch of the Big Lunch 2014.
Among those taking part were the city’s Deputy Mayor Alderman Gary Middleton, Grainne McCloskey from The Big Lunch and Peter Osborne, Big Lottery Fund chairperson.
Welcoming the community representatives, Alderman Gary Middleton urged residents and community leaders from the North West and across Northern Ireland to get involved and join The Big Lunch.
Derry will host Big Lunches along the Walled City Marathon route/City Walls on 1 next as a way to bring the supporters together.
Alderman Middleton said: “The Marathon is one of the Legacy projects from 2013 and we are delighted as we prepare to deliver our 2014 Legacy promise that we can incorporate the Big Lunch as a part of it.
“I would encourage you all to come out and support both events and meet a range of people from communities across the city.”
Grainne McCloskey, spokesperson for The Big Lunch, said: “On the first Sunday in June each year neighbours turn off the TV and get together for a few hours.
“This simple act of community spirit leads to good conversations and is helping build stronger more resilient communities.
“Residents can change their neighbourhoods for good, discover common ground across age, class, gender, faith, race and the garden fence but most importantly it can embrace those people who feel disconnected from meaningful relationships within their own communities.”
She concluded: “The people of the North West are amongst the friendliest in the world but that doesn’t mean we don’t need to work at strengthening our neighbourhoods, so I hope plenty of folk join with us this year and host a Big Lunch of their own.”
Request your free pack from http://www.thebiglunch.com.
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