We would like to thank the team both Leaders and Youth from ON THE MOVE for all their work dedication and commitment shown during their 5 days with us from late Wednesday evening to Sunday afternoon. We were blessed with beautiful weather which helped immensely during the activities.
Thanks are also due to all who helped prepare the way, from the work done by the Derry Raphoe Youth board in the lead up to the event with our Rector, the HSE for their support of the activities within St Joseph’s Hospital, hotel management within Kee’s Jackson’s and the Villa Rose, the Family Enrichment Centre, the members of the three parishes who helped prepare the hall and the facilities, the Stranorlar Robertson school Board of Management for the use of the Robertson School grounds adjacent to the Henderson Hall for the Funday activities and on Sunday , the Castlederg and Raphoe parishes who helped provide meals and other logistical support during the event. A special thank you to all the local support from within the parishes for the event whether it be the unseen activities of moving equipment around, preparing treats for the team or just a welcoming smile as you saw the team in their yellow tee shirts moving about the twin towns.
To recap the whole 5 days in a few sentences is nigh impossible. However Rev. Peter Ferguson shared moving stories of the team’s work at the hotels and at St. Joseph’s hospital. They prepared approx 320 packs one for each employee in the 3 hotels in the twin towns. The gesture shows our respect and appreciation for those who are rarely told thank you or well done. We hope that the knowledge we care in our small way, will remind them that God cares so much more for them. The children were also singing and meeting the staff and residents at St Joseph’s Hospital. Some painting and weeding at the various gardens and spaces around St Joseph’s hospital grounds was carried out. On Saturday there was more painting and weeding done this time both at Robertson school and the Family enrichment centre followed by a fun afternoon in the grounds of the school.
On Sunday we all came together for a celebration service. It was great to see the church so full. The celebration was for both the work done this year and that On the Move has been active for 10 years. There was cake and tea after the service again in beautiful sunshine. Rev Peter asked if it ever rained in the twin towns he hadn’t seen any whilst he was here.