The Gathering for Africa was a unique and historic event at The Armagh City Hotel. The Gathering for Africa Fund Raising Dinner, organised by The Armagh Tigers Charitable Trust, brought together the leaders of the four main churches in Ireland, business people, sport personalities, members of the media, and a variety V I Ps.
The Armagh Tigers Charitable Trust where honoured by the presence of His Eminence Cardinal
Sean Brady Roman Catholic Primate of All Ireland, His Grace The Most Reverend Alan Harper, Archbishop of Armagh, The Reverend Dr Stafford Carson , Moderator of The Presbyterian Church In Ireland and The Reverend Donald Kerr, President Of The Methodist Church.
This amazing event heard guest speakers included RTE Radio 1’s Marian Finucane and Sally Sanchez, a local girl from Coalisland who works as an international aid worker. MCs for the night were well known journalist and author Eamon Malley alongside comedian Gene Fitzpatrick.
The idea for the fundraising night came about when at a funeral of a well-known businessman, who died suddenly – a missionary worker spoke to the Tigers of the work he had done for schools in Africa by sending out generators to Missionaries on the continent. Until his funeral, no one knew anything about the work he did. It went completely unnoticed.
Kieran McAnallen, Chairman of the Armagh Tigers, said: “The Missionary who attended the funeral told us a story of a school that benefited as a result of the generator. That school was able to teach after dark while other similar schools couldn’t. By simply having a generator the children could Have a much better education”. On hearing this story the Terence Donnelly, Chairman of the Donnelly Group, a well-known Northern Ireland car dealership, approached Kieran Chairman of ATCT and a deal was negotiated for 50 TATA off road vehicles with a view to sending these to missionary bodies in Africa representing the 4 main churches in Ireland.
A number of meetings with the those various Missionary bodies was organised with a view raising the necessary funds. “The Missionaries were delighted to know that these vehicles were coming their way”.
The 50 vehicles went to different regions in Africa including; Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Swaziland, Tanzania, and Zambia. There were also interviews with all the missionary bodies shown on the night as well as a very special video link presentation with Bishop Desmond Tutu, Emeritus Archbishop of Johannesburg who told those gathered on the night, “That the generosity of those present had wiped a tear from Gods eye and put a smile on Gods face”.
At this time the current economic climate dictates that people become more focused on matters closer to home but the situation will never be as bad here as is in most regions in Africa. A lot of credit is due to those who donated to the event in these tough times.
Mr. McAnallen, said: “The night was an outstanding success and one of the main reasons we put this night on was because there is a large network of people from the local area doing untold work and not really getting much recognition for it. The Gathering for Africa event gives them the support and encouragement they need to continue doing their good work. I have listened to a story of a missionary who drove around In an old banger that was used as an ambulance in the morning, and a hearse in the evening, hopefully these vehicles will find a variety of uses and help improve the lives of those whom the missionaries serve.”
