Forthspring Sponsored Cycle

Forthspring Inter Community Group is organising a 100k sponsored cycle around the Ards Penisula on Sunday 16th September 2007.

David Gardiner a former Commonwealth cyclist is the consultant for this event. The reason for such an event is because October 2007 will mark a decade in the life of this organisation working this unique location straddling the Peace Line on the Springfield Road in Belfast. The work has grown through the years and seeks to provide opportunities for every age group from both sides of the wall to engage with one another.

This 10th anniversary gives us reason to not only celebrate the past but also to look to the future. When the many costs such as salaries, programme and building maintenance are taken into consideration our budget is considerable so fundraising and publicity are crucial.

Our goal with the sponsored cycle is to raise £50,000. We are hoping that individuals, groups and companies will support this. Ideally if 100 cyclists could commit to raising £500 each that would be fantastic. . The support of Ards Cycling Club for this event is much appreciated.

You can be involved in different ways:

• Take part in the cycle (a training schedule and advice will be given.) We are delighted to have the expertise of David Gardiner former Commonwealth cyclist who has agreed to be a consultant for the cycle)
• Commit to putting aside a monthly sum of money between now and September
• If you are part of a company or local business make a donation towards sponsoring one or more cyclists

For further information contact:

Bernie Laverty fscoordinator@btconnect.com
Dave Gardiner dave.gardiner@btinternet.com
who will be very happy to give you further details.

Former Nobel Price Winner visits Forthspring Inter Community Group. Belfast –January 2007.

In January the Women’s group at Forthspring Inter Community Group had a visit from Mairead Maguire, former Nobel Peace Prize winner. Mairead Maguire was giving an insight into her work in setting up the Peace People, a large movement established in 1977 to call for an end to the violence in Northern Ireland, and how she subsequently has devoted her life to non-violent movements that seek peace and justice globally. This visit came as part of an introductory course in Non-Violence that the Wednesday women were engaged in.

Forthspring Inter Community Group, as a centre is dedicated to the promotion of non violence, within homes, local communities and globally. It is mentored in this work by the Institute for the Study and Practice of Non-Violence in Providence, Rhode Island, USA.

Constantinian Order makes additional £10,000 donation to Forthspring Inter-Community. Belfast – June 2006.

Members of the British and Irish Delegation of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George (www.constantinian.org.uk) have made a further donation of £10,000 (€14,600) to the Forthspring Inter Community Group in Belfast. In 2004 the British and Irish Delegation of the Rome based Order made an identical donation.

The Order’s Grand Prefect, His Royal Highness The Duke of Calabria visited Forthspring during his cross border visit to Ireland in November 2002.

Forthspring Project Co-ordinator Mrs Bernie Laverty said “On behalf of the Reverend David Campton and the Board of Directors of Forthspring, we are delighted to receive your substantial donation from the Constantinian Order in Britain and Ireland.. Such financial support means so much to use in our endeavours to create more positive relationships and understanding between the local Catholic and Protestant communities on the Springfield Road in Belfast”.