7 minute read
RAIL NEWS
The annual Translink and U105 Stuff A Bus Toy Appeal 2019 smashed its target of 20,000 toy donations. Thanks to the generosity of the NI public, thousands of children living in poverty received Christmas presents under the tree.
Now in its third year, the public transport provider and broadcaster joined forces to support The Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul’s Christmas Family Appeal. With toy donation points in bus and train stations across the country, Translink passengers, staff, local businesses and the wider public responded with exceptional kindness, helping to stuff a double decker Translink bus with over 20,000 toys.
The gifts were delivered ahead of Christmas Eve to families who need it most, ensuring thousands of children wake up to a present on Christmas morning.
Chris Conway, Group Chief Executive of Translink, thanked everyone for their efforts: “A massive thank you to everyone who supported the Stuff A Bus Toy Appeal. Every year we wonder if we can beat the last target, and year on year thousands of people visit our stations to donate and make a positive difference for families who are going through very tough times at Christmas.
“If you’ve been tuning into U105 you will have heard moving stories about the families that St Vincent De Paul and the Salvation Army look after. It really brings home the need for ongoing support to tackle the serious issue of poverty across Northern Ireland.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the kindness of everyone who has supported this year’s appeal, and I would like to wish them all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.” NI public smash ’Stuff A Bus’ toy target for local children this Christmas
Celebrating 10 years of Translink Youth Forum
Pupils from local schools across Derry~Londonderry, Enniskillen, Newry and Belfast recently attended special workshops in their local areas, to celebrate 10 years of the Translink Youth Forum transforming public transport to support young people.
Pupils took part in discussions on a wide range of matters to shine a spotlight on the views and experiences of younger passengers, including connections between public transport and the economy, social inclusion, congestion and active lifestyles. Pictured at the Belfast event are (l-r): Jane Murphy, Translink; Ushnik Banerjee, Methodist College – Belfast; Chris Conway, Translink Group Chief Executive; Piaras Finucane, St Malachy’s College – Belfast; Tacy Hare, St Patrick’s Academy – Lisburn; Chris Quinn, NI Youth Forum Chief Executive; Lucy Grainger; and Naomi Sloane, Translink Youth Forum.
Talented Belfast band Gin Palace was recently announced as the inaugural winner of Northern Ireland’s newest music competition, Metro Sessions - launched by Translink in association with the Oh Yeah Music Centre. Speaking about the competition, Damian Bannon, Belfast Area Manager of Translink, said: “Translink Metro is the lifeblood of Belfast, connecting people from all walks of life and our new competition is a celebration of the city through music. Northern Ireland has always bred great original musical talent. For a relatively small population, we have produced some of the biggest musicians in the world like Snow Patrol and Van Morrison. We’re delighted to support new local talent and help develop their career in the music industry.” Shortlisted from over 60 acts, fi ve fi nalists (Gin Palace, The Rising, Modern Rome, The John Andrews Band and Lucy Bell) recently performed at a live outdoor fi nal at Belfast City Hall before the winner was decided by a 48-hour public vote which saw thousands of votes cast.
The line-up drew impressive crowds at City Hall with messages of support for the fi nalists fl ooding in, including advice from Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody. Gin Palace is made up of four local lads from Belfast and Carrickfergus who found a love for performing from an early age. Formed in Summer 2018, the band produce a delicate and intricate form of indie music infused with elements from the early jazz and funk traditions of the USA, and the pop and psychedelic musical heritage of 1960s Great Britain, but with a modern twist.
The Translink Metro Sessions Competition was launched in September by Translink as part of the 2019 Sound of Belfast festival programme. Gin Palace has won a £1000 cash prize, recording studio package, airtime and industry mentoring from Media Partner Q Radio. Belfast’s Gin Palace wins ‘Metro Sessions’
Sonia Kinsella, a coach from Saul GAC is the Translink Ulster GAA Coach of the Year for 2019. This is the third time that Translink and Ulster GAA have partnered on the initiative, which is designed to recognise club coaches who demonstrate exceptional commitment to the coaching and development of Gaelic games.
A record number of public nominations were submitted from across Ulster, after which a panel of experts including Down Manager, Paddy Tally; Sports Correspondent, Neil Loughran; and Ulster GAA’s Director of Coaching & Games, Eugene Young, selected one finalist from each county in the province. Over 10,000 votes were cast in an online poll to select the overall winner.
Representing County Down, Sonia Knsella was presented with her award at the Ulster Club Football Final in Healy Park, Omagh. As well as the title, she also wins commemorative kit and free coach travel for her team, courtesy of Translink.
All of the finalists are outstanding ambassadors for their respective counties. The standard of nominations was exceptional, so to make the final nine should be a great source of pride for the individuals and their clubs.
Sonia has coached at her club for many years, committing countless hours. Her efforts have not gone unnoticed by her clubmates, who described her as ‘one in a million’ and praised her for her strength during a tough year for the club. The full list of county finalists in the Translink Ulster GAA Coach of the Year awards was: • Antrim –Paul Buchanan – Lámh Dhearg, Belfast • Armagh –Rosie McMahon – Silverbridge Harps • Cavan –Fiachra Sweeney – Castlerahan • Donegal – Laurence McMullan – St Mary’s, Convoy • Derry –Sean Mellon – Na Magha CLG • Down –Sonia Kinsella – St Patricks, Saul • Fermanagh –Brendan Rasdale – Derrygonnelly Harps • Monaghan –Jaime Black – Latton O’Rahilly’s • Tyrone –Paddy O’Neill – Derrytresk Fir An Chnoic
Sonia Kinsella, a coach from Saul GAC is the Translink Ulster GAA Coach of the Year for 2019. This is the third time that Translink and Ulster GAA have partnered on the initiative, which is designed to recognise club coaches who demonstrate exceptional commitment to the coaching and development of Gaelic games.
A record number of public nominations were submitted from across Ulster, after which a panel of experts including Down Manager, Paddy Tally; Sports Correspondent, Neil Loughran; and Ulster GAA’s Director of Coaching & Games, Eugene Young, selected one finalist from each county in the province. Over 10,000 votes were cast in an online poll to select the overall winner.
Representing County Down, Sonia Knsella was presented with her award at the Ulster Club Football Final in Healy Park, Omagh. As well as the title, she also wins commemorative kit and free coach travel for her team, courtesy of Translink.
All of the finalists are outstanding ambassadors for their respective counties. The standard of nominations was exceptional, so to make the final nine should be a great source of pride for the individuals and their clubs.
Sonia has coached at her club for many years, committing countless hours. Her efforts have not gone unnoticed by her clubmates, who described her as ‘one in a million’ and praised her for her strength during a tough year for the club. The full list of county finalists in the Translink Ulster GAA Coach of the Year awards was: • Antrim –Paul Buchanan – Lámh Dhearg, Belfast • Armagh –Rosie McMahon – Silverbridge Harps • Cavan –Fiachra Sweeney – Castlerahan • Donegal – Laurence McMullan – St Mary’s, Convoy • Derry –Sean Mellon – Na Magha CLG • Down –Sonia Kinsella – St Patricks, Saul • Fermanagh –Brendan Rasdale – Derrygonnelly Harps • Monaghan –Jaime Black – Latton O’Rahilly’s • Tyrone –Paddy O’Neill – Derrytresk Fir An Chnoic
