The First Ever Peace Pitch in Derry-Londonderry is twinned with Flanders Peace Field, site of the 1914 First World War, Christmas truces, Mesen, Belgium. The Foyle Down Syndrome Trust (FDST) joined the Children’s Football Alliance’s, FOOTBALL MAKES OUR SHARED HISTORY Project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, to exhibit their history through play and facilitate the Peace Games. Teams representing: FDST, Harry Gregg Foundation, Destined, Moving On Up, Tuned in Project and the Play trail, took part in a wonderful day of football for fun. The FDST peace pitch joins 61 peace pitches in 5 continents. A pledge to annually celebrate peace through play on the United Nations International Day of Peace is the outcome of FOOTBALL MAKES OUR SHARED HISTORY PROJECT.
Special guest, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane Council, Sandra Duffy, said, ‘Peace through play. This is the way forward. The Children’s Football Alliance and Foyle Down Syndrome Trust have created a wonderful event. Congratulations to everyone involved.
The day was covered in beautiful sunshine. The sound of laughter, goals and celebration, brought communities together from across the county.
Group pictured in the Foyle Down Syndrome Trust’s offices in The Shared Future centre, Waterside, on Monday afternoon last, at the launch of the National Children’s Football Alliance sponsored Football makes our Shared History project. Included in the photograph are Ernie Brennan, managing director, National Children’s Football Alliance, on the left, staff members Conor McGilloway and Sue McElwee and Christopher Cooper, manager FDST. Photo: George Sweeney. DER2206GS 066
Connor FDST FMOSH Project Manager
FMOSH is great project to celebrate our shared heritage through sports. FDST look forward to researching and contributing to the importance of games in our communities.