# Fund launched in memory of murdered boy

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2006/03/03/fund-launched-memory-murdered-boy/
- Published: 2006-03-03T00:00:00+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

Six months after 15 year old Belfast boy Thomas Devlin was murdered in an unprovoked
attack near his home in North Belfast, the Thomas Devlin Fund has been established
in his memory. The Fund aims to promote public awareness about the effects and impact
of the type of violent attack from which Thomas met his death. The Trustees aim 
to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds to carry out a range of activities which
will be targeted at young people in N. Ireland.

 

“We want our tragedy to be a catalyst for young people to become more appreciative
of the impact and futility of gratuitous violence – a rising trend in our community
where more and more innocent teenagers, like Thomas, have lost their lives”, said
Thomas’ Mum and Fund Secretary, Penny Holloway.

## Advertisement

 [⌊Posthub advert. You create the campaign. We'll handle the postal journey. Get started at post-hub.co.uk.⌉](https://fundraising.co.uk/ads/posthub-20261007-300x250/)

 

The Fund plans to commission a sculpture which will involve young people and be 
symbolic of their hopes and aspirations. Hopefully it will be erected in an area
where it will gain maximum public exposure.

 

The Fund also hopes to provide bursaries/scholarships for young people to pursue
innovative Music/Creative Arts projects in third level education. The bursaries 
will be awarded annually until 2065, representing the notional expected length of
Thomas’ natural life.

 

A website has been set up and is being developed to provide information on the support
activities and progress of the Fund.

 

TV presenter Eamonn Holmes, Patron of the Fund, who performed the launch ceremony,
made an emotional plea: “Thomas’ death must provide a line in the sand. Let his 
young life be the last one to be taken so senselessly”.

 

The Fund is supported by personalities from the arts and media industry as well 
as friends of the family.

 

www.thomasdevlin.com

 

 * **[Concern launches SSIA giving programme](https://fundraising.co.uk/2006/03/06/concern-launches-ssia-giving-programme/)**(
   6 March 2006)
 * **[Charities receive €1.5 million from Vodafone](https://fundraising.co.uk/2006/03/08/charities-receive-e15m-vodafone/)**(
   8 March 2006)
 * **[Peace lll views sought](https://fundraising.co.uk/2006/03/10/peace-lll-views-sought/)**(
   10 March 2006)