Diver urges support for Foyle Down Syndrome's bid for £50k Big Lottery prize

The Foyle Down Syndrome Trust has reached the final of The People’s Project, Big Lottery Competition which has a top prize of £50,000.

The local group is one of five charities taking part in the final.

Congratulating the Derry group, SDLP MLA Gerard Diver urged people to vote for the local charity and their ‘Recipe for Success’ project in order that they clinch £50, 000.

Foyle Down Syndrome Trust hopes to use the funds to build a new kitchen and facilitate cookery lessons, teach culinary qualifications, organise visits to cookery schools, and provide a lasting legacy for all members.

Speaking after visiting the charity, Mr Diver said: “In order to do that the charity needs your vote and if there is one thing Derry is good at, it is supporting their own.

“This is a very worthwhile charity which assists the personal social emotional development of members, offers affected families support in addition to one to one education services.

“This really is a People’s Project.”

Mr Diver vowed to carry on the work of Mr Pat Ramsey, who he replaced in the Assembly, by continuing to defend the rights of the disabled members of our community.

“Mr Ramsey has a strong proved track record on this issue and I will not permit that work to whither on the vine.”

In order to vote for Foyle Down Syndrome Trust visit www.thepeoplesprojects.org.uk