Rotary International - Glebe House receives a visit from Snow Patrol's lead singer with BBC Children in Need

Glebe House receives a visit from Snow Patrol's lead singer with BBC Children in Need

04/06/2010

Harmony Community Trust’s Glebe House had special visitors on Friday 4^th June when Gary Lightbody, the Internationally famous band Snow Patrol's lead singer, took time out from his sellout European tour to pay a visit with BBC Children in Need to meet children and young people involved with the Centre as both users and volunteers.

Harmony Community Trust in Strangford was established and is supported by the Rotary Club of Belfast and has received grants from BBC Children in Need to help provide residential opportunities for disadvantaged children and young people from across Northern Ireland to help develop their social and life skills. Glebe House, HCT's Residential Centre, offers young people a contrast to their home environment, a place where they can play, work, learn, have fun and discover more about themselves and about those they expect to be 'different' - where they can re-create their own identity and don't need to conform to sectarian or social stereotypes.

Awaiting his arrival the excited local children were kept happily amused by the volunteer staff with a simple but so effective game.

Gary, originally from Bangor, had a tour of the facilities and ‘met’ the donkeys.

There was then a presentation in the Harry Corscadden Building (the building renamed in memory of Rotarian and Founder Harry Corscadden and is now fondly known as ‘the Harry Building’!). HCT Chairperson, Helen Honeyman, spoke about the work and facilities and then a child who has stayed at Glebe and a volunteer spoke about how Glebe House had influenced their lives.

Gary then spent some time signing autographs for the many children and adults.

Gary said "It's been great to see the work Children in Need is able to do in my local area thanks to the generosity of the public”.

Picture shows Gary with 4 children from Westwinds School, Newtownards who have all stayed at Glebe House and HCT Committee member Sharon.

Paddy Sloan, National Head for BBC Children in Need Northern Ireland (pictured here with Helen Honeyman) said "It's fantastic that Gary is able to take time out of his busy schedule to visit Harmony Trust today. His support is really valuable in raising awareness of the work that BBC Children in Need funds in Northern Ireland and gives a terrific boost to everyone involved". BBC Children in Need helps to change lives across the UK and is currently funding over 300 projects in Northern Ireland, with a spend of £3.2m this year. Harmony received £24,000 and hopes to continue to receive funds this year.