Tim and Johnathan’s legacy is a Unique Achievement

TWENTY five years on from the Warrington bombing the legacy left by 12-year-old Tim Parry and Johnathan Ball is a “unique achievement.”

As the town prepares to fall silent mark the 25th anniversary of the IRA bomb which killed two children and sent shockwaves throughout the UK and around the world, Tim’s father Colin Parry OBE, Chair of the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Peace Foundation said:“At Tim’s funeral I said that if my son becomes a symbol for peace and gives everyone a new sense of hope after so much tragedy, then that will be Tim’s unique achievement.

“Today, the charity which Wendy and I founded is the leading UK provider of support to victims of terrorism, young people and communities whose lives have been affected by extremism.

“As we mark 25 years since our son was taken from us in such horrific circumstances, we know that Tim, Johnathan, Bronwen and all those who were injured are remembered and honoured by the work that we do every day.”

Over fifty people were injured in the explosion, which killed three-year-old Jonathan Ball instantly and claimed the life of twelve-year-old Tim Parry five days later.

It was a crime that appalled the nation and in the days that followed, thousands of people took to the streets in protest. It became a seminal moment in the Northern Ireland peace process and Tim’s parents, Colin and Wendy Parry, channelled their feelings of grief and loss towards thoughts of peace and hope for the future, founding the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Peace Foundation in 1995.
Today, the charity is the leading UK provider of support to victims of terrorism and to young people and communities whose lives have been affected by extremism. The Peace Foundation works nationally and internationally, devising pioneering education programmes and bespoke work with local authorities, community groups and schools. Since the Manchester arena bombing in May 2017, the Peace Foundation’s Survivors Assistance Network (SAN) has supported over 750 individuals. SAN provides free, life-long, practical and emotional support to people directly affected by terrorist attacks.

A commemoration service attended by HRH The Princess Royal will take place in the town tomorrow, Tuesday. Over 60 primary schools and businesses across the region are donating to the cause and taking part in Colours for Peace, a dress down day wearing Peace Foundation’s colours, green – the colour of Tim’s uniform when he was a pupil at Great Sankey High School – blue and white.

Last week it was announced that filming for a BBC Two drama documentary ‘Mother’s Day’ about the aftermath of the bombing, is underway and will star Vicky McClure, Anna Maxwell Martin and Daniel Mays.