Peace work continues to be inspirational

TWENTY-TWO year on from the Warrington bombing the ongoing work of the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace continues to be inspirational.
I covered the events of that terrible day in Bridge Street as a still relatively young photo-journalist on March 20 1993. It is a day I will never forget. It was a life changing day for many people, none more so than Colin and Wendy Parry, whose 12-year-old son died along with three-year-old Johnathan Ball. Young mum Bronwen Vickers, who lost a leg in the bombing which also injured more than 50 shoppers, became a third fatality later.
I can’t begin to imagine the grief Colin and Wendy went through but the thought of losing one of my own children under any circumstances, let alone an act of terrorism, is beyond comprehension.
I have followed their pioneering work now for more than two decades, had the honour of becoming a patron of their unique charity, seeing first-hand the impact of their work here in Warrington and across the Irish sea, where Warrington is held in high esteem and credited with playing a major role in helping the peace process.
The work of the peace centre has now gone international and is at long last receiving government funding to ensure their important work can continue to reach out, offering the hand of peace and reconciliation and most importantly educating others that there are positive alternatives to conflict.
During a recent visit to Northern Ireland I witnessed how Warrington is held in such high regard.
As a town and a community we need to continue to embrace the work of this internationally recognised charity and never forget that life changing day twenty-two years ago and ensure the memory of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice lives on.