Stephen

Suppose it was inevitable, I was not planning to be Political or opinionated in this Blog but I do. I have not seen many concerts this year, I have listened to a lot of music though, one such artist is David Ford, who I met briefly at a concert and bought his book ‘I choose this’ which he signed. The local gig perhaps had less than 100 capacity but he belted it out like it was the most important gig of his life. He sang a song called Stephen, and explained the song in the book. The song and this article explains what happened. Social injustice and prejudice comes in many guises and affects people deeply. I watched Stephens widow on David Fords Milk and Cookies live broadcast and was in awe at her eloquence and bravery, the least I could do was donate a token amount to the fund. Not asking you to do the same, sometimes its enough that in a world full of Simon Cowell and boybands singing about nothing that there are still people out there making protest songs, my blog is likely to have a lot of angry music in it so if you prefer a world of 1D and karaoke perhaps this is not the place for you.

Published on Tuesday 23 October 2012 09:00

KATE Carroll will launch a foundation in memory of her husband next year, in a bid to both keep his memory alive and deter young people from violence.

The Steve Carroll Foundation will be launched at Stormont in January 2013, almost four years after the Banbridge policeman was shot dead in Craigavon.

The Continuity IRA claimed responsiblity for the killing, and earlier this year former Sinn Fein councillor Brendan McConville and 21-year-old John Paul Wootton were jailed for their roles in the murder.

Wootton’s sentence of 14 years, as he was 17 years old at the time of the killing, was met with outrage from Kate and others who said it had simply been ‘a rap on the knuckles’.

In announcing the launch of the foundation in memory of her beloved husband Kate said she is desperately seeking sponsorship for awards to be offered through the body.

Two former Banbridge Academy pupils are currently the first two youth ambassadors for the foundation. Kate commended Enya Doyle and Lauren Sloan for their work in trying to organise sponsors for the First Beacon of Hope Scholarship, Northern Ireland Youth for Justice Campaigner’s Prize, Beacon of Hope Medals, and Beacon of Hope Inspirational Teacher.

If anyone would like to get involved in sponsoring awards for the Steve Carroll Foundation please contact stevecarrollfoundation@hotmail.co.uk.

And a bonus David Ford track which is my own personal favourite……