Mum's mountain mission

WENDY Parry, the mother of 12-year-old IRA bomb victim Tim Parry, is embarking on the biggest challenge of her life by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to mark the 18th anniversary of the Warrington bombing and the year of her son’s 30th birthday.
Wendy, co-founder of The Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace along with her husband Colin, will be joined by their daughter Abbi as part of a team of four about to tackle Kilimanjaro, which at 5,895 metres [19341 ft.] is Africa’s highest mountain.
Other members of the team are Kelly Simcock, a Foundation Programme Manager and Alan McKie, one of the charity’s many supporters.
This fund raising event which aims to raise £20,000 for the charity based at Warrington Peace Centre.
Commenting on the venture Wendy said: “On March 20th 1993, family life for the Parry’s changed forever.
“We had to adjust to life without Tim. Creating the Foundation and building the Peace Centre as a living tribute to both Tim and Johnathan became our focus, and helping other people who had suffered from personal, community or national conflict became our future. It is 18 years since the bombings, and this fund raising climb up Kilimanjaro marks that anniversary. But it also celebrates the lives of Tim and Johnathan, and serves to highlight the continuing need for support for victims of conflict both in the UK and throughout the world.”
Wendy added: “This year would have been Tim’s 30th birthday. There are certain milestones in everybody’s life, whether it’s celebrating important birthdays, getting married or the excitement of starting a family, Tim missed out on all these events through no fault of his own so Abbi and I will be doing this for him and Johnathan who became part of our extended family in 1993.”
Kelly added: “One of our flagship programmes is the Leadership Development programme which has transformed the lives of so many. The money we raise will go towards providing young people with alternatives to violence and helping them to make a difference in their communities….I can’t wait for the challenge of Kilimanjaro and help to raise those vital funds to give more young people the chance to make a difference in their communities.”
The Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace was set up by Colin and Wendy Parry following the death of their 12-year-old son Tim and 3-year-old Johnathan Ball after the IRA bombed Warrington in 1993. Wilf and Marie, Johnathan’s parents, gave their full support to the organisation.
The Peace Centre (Warrington) is a unique LIVING legacy and memorial to Tim and Johnathan. It was built with local, national and international support.
To make a donation visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/walk4peace
Picture shows Wendy (left) and Kelly Simcock preparing for their mission.