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Local Charities Show Bouncebackability

How many balloons can you fit into a minibus? That is the question asked by the Bouncebackability Fund at NICVA as part of a fundraising competition to win a first prize of £1,000 launched today.

The Bouncebackability Balloon bus will be visiting towns across Northern Ireland this week asking people to make a small £3 donation by mobile phone by texting “bounce+number of balloons” to 70003 to be in with a chance of winning £1,000, £250 or £100.

The fun initiative to help raise funds to help disadvantaged children and young people saw volunteers eagerly stuffing a minibus choc-full of balloons to start the competition.

Chris Canning – volunteer fundraiser with Bouncebackability invited people to look out for the bus in their area and to visit the facebook and the website to check it out.

“This is a fun-filled opportunity to test your ability and win £1,000. It couldn’t be easier simply send “bounce+number of balloons” from your mobile phone.”

Small charities, groups and sports cubs fell victim last year when the organisation National Task Force (NTF) collapsed following revelations about the founder and manager Mark Townley. Bangor man (County Down) Townley had been soliciting deposits for minibuses from organisations across the UK but suddenly tried to wind-up the company when his activities came under the media glare. No money has yet been returned to any of the organisations by Townley leaving organisations like the Hope Centre Ballymena, Food for Thought Africa and Rathgael gymnastics struggling to recover the losses.

But rather than be defeated the victim organisations are hoping the public will give a small donation in support of Bouncebackability.

Police forces across the UK and Ireland are believed to be still investigating the full extent of Mark Townley’s business affairs which saw him promising minibuses, boxing rings and other services but instead delivered only empty promises and bouncing cheques.

Umbrella body NICVA, launched the Bouncebackability Fund with the help of Iain Dowie former Northern Ireland International and ex-premiership manager, who coined the term Bouncebackability. The aim is to help the many voluntary groups who lost money to NTF and to support the many volunteers who give so much of their own time effort and money to keep their small groups running.

“We find it hard to believe that anyone would take money by deception from these organisations whose only purpose is in helping others” said Neil Irwin from NICVA

“That is why NICVA established this appeal to help the volunteers, local sports clubs, charities, and ultimately the young people themselves who benefit from these services”

“But in essence too – we want to show people like Mark Townley that while you may knock us down for a while we still have the ability to get back up – that’s because we have Bouncebackability.”

The Bouncebackability Balloon bus will be visiting events and towns across Northern Ireland throughout the week offering people the opportunity to donate £3 to the Bouncebackability Fund and giving the opportunity to win £1,000, £250 or £100. Donations to the Bouncebackability Fund can be made by mobile by texting “bounce+number of balloons” to 70003. Texts cost £3 plus a sms text charge and the Bouncebackability Fund receives at least £2.70.

Terms and conditions from the www.bouncebackability.org.uk website or by contacting NICVA on 028 9087 7777.

There is a free route of entry to the competition if you would rather not make a £3 donation to Bouncebackability – simply send your answer to Bouncebackability Fund, NICVA, 61 Duncairn Gardens, Belfast, BT15 2GB.

www.bouncebackability.org.uk

www.facebook.com/bouncebackabilityfund

NICVA is not benefiting from money raised from this initiative. Funds are being distributed by NICVA to the following fifteen organisations as part of the appeal.

1. Cityside Amateur Boxing Club (Derry)
2. Hope Centre (Ballymena)
3. North Coast Community Transport (Limavady)
4. Rural Lift (Fermanagh)
5. Rathgael Gymnastics and Trampoline Club (Bangor, N.I.)
6. Durie's Boxing Club (Glasgow)
7. Food for Thought Africa
8. Llanedeyrn and Pentwyn Amateur Boxing Club
9. Lochaber Boxing Club (Fortwilliam)
10. JUMP (Gwent)
11. Lochee Boys Club (Dundee)
12. Chester Police Amateur Boxing Club
13. Black Country Boxing Club
14. St Josephs Amateur Boxing Club (Cardiff)
15. Springfield Star FC (Belfast)

Thanks to Charles Hurst – Renault for the minibus

Luce Balloons for the Balloons

Copius Consulting for support