| Working with the Build Africa charity, the SELB staff campaign has already raised a substantial five-figure sum towards the provision of a new school in impoverished Uganda.
Established in 1973, the Education Boards are to be replaced by the Education and Skills Authority at the end of 2009 but this project will be a fitting footnote for the organisation, which has its headquarters on the Mall.
Through a range of initiatives, it is hoped that the campaign can raise some £36,000 – £1,000 for each year of the SELB’s existence – which will transform education provision, by building and equipping a new school, in a poverty-stricken area of Africa.
“The Board going really will be the end of an era and some staff got together to see how we could mark that and ensure a lasting legacy for the SELB,” explains campaign chairperson Walter Neville.
“We felt that doing something which furthered the cause of education would be particularly appropriate and have teamed up with Build Africa, a well established charity with great experience and expertise in delivering this sort of project.
“The campaign has been building momentum within the organisation over the past few months and we’ve already raised a considerable sum of money through various events and activities including loose change collections, an e-Bay type auction and a couple of quizzes.
“Including pledges, we are already past the £12,000 mark and hope that figure will increase considerably in the final few months as the campaign reaches its climax with the Gala Ball, a golf day and a salsa night.
“We’ve had strong support, not only from SELB staff but the broader education community, and we want the general public to get involved too. I’d encourage everyone who would like to support this venture to consider buying some tickets for our Gala Ball at Armagh City Hotel.
“Tickets have been selling well already and it promises to be a most enjoyable evening, all in a very worthy cause, with a drinks reception followed by a four-course meal and top-class entertainment.”
Walter was joined at the launch by fellow SELB Staff Build A School In Africa campaign committee members and a couple of leading local sportswomen who are also backing the event – Armagh ladies gaelic football star Sharon Duncan, a teacher at St Paul’s in Bessbrook, and Royal School Head Girl Amy Stewart, Ireland’s youngest ever hockey international.
Those interested in buying tickets (£50 each) should contact either Dolores Stinson or Fred Wilkinson by emailing selb.buildafrica@selb.org and for further information on the campaign and forthcoming events, please visit www.selb.org/selbbuildafrica
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