AN IRISH charity raised thousands of pounds in London last week to help emerging young leaders in the North of Ireland.
Irish people from right across Britain were in the capital to attend Cooperation Ireland’s annual dinner, in aid of the charity’s Youth Leadership programme.
Cooperation Ireland is a charity whose primary aim is peace-building across the border, to benefit all citizens of the island of Ireland.
This marked the third year the charity ran the event in London, as both a thank you to their supporters and the chance to raise vital funds.
This year, the event was specifically in aid of the Youth Leadership programme.
This programme aims to target young people who are in danger of being recruited by paramilitaries and encouraging them to achieve their dreams.
An auction took place on the night, with £25,000 being raised for the programme. Among the items up for grabs were priceless artworks, a trip to New York City and a tour of the royal golf clubs of Britain and Ireland.
The main speaker on the night was Joe Lynam, BBC correspondent in London.
He spoke of his pride at working as an Irish journalist in Britain before tackling the topic of the upcoming elections – in particular the burning issue of the parties of the North of Ireland’s place in British politics.
Also speaking on the night was chief executive of Cooperation Ireland Peter Sheridan, who apologised for Ian Paisley Junior – the guest of honour was unable to make it.
