Saturday 8 May should have seen thousands of young Presbyterians dashing about Gosford Forest Park at the annual Sunday School Fun Day. But sadly the day has been cancelled because no insurance company will cover the risk.
"It's a regrettable decision," said Stephen Lynas, the Church's Information Officer, "but one that was forced upon us despite every effort being made to obtain suitable insurance cover."
Despite the expert supervision and its excellent safety record, the event is classified as 'high risk' with some of its activities including climbing walls, aerial slides, bungee runs and a mountain bike obstacle course.
Running annually for the last ten years, the Fun Day with its 'something for all the family to do' programme attracted all ages. Also with safe venues becoming harder to find it was an excellent activity for the many Church and Sunday School outings that are common during May and June. Last year over 6000 Presbyterians from all over Ireland attended the event which was held at the Folk Park in Cultra.
The fun day also highlights the Sunday School and Youth Project and was a focus for some associated fund raising. This year's project is "Lookin' Up" which will support various children's church projects both at home and overseas.
Locally help will be given to Kilcooley Presbyterian Church in Bangor to run the Square Centre which provides a homework club, art club, computer access and opportunities for teenagers to meet in a Christian environment. A similar project is being supported in Dublin based in the Hoath and Malahide congregation.
Overseas, the focus is on Kenya helping two Presbyterians from Kilkeel and Rathcoole run a Library and Learning project.
"Lookin' Up" also hopes to have enough money to buy 80 "Big Green Bags" in support of the Pavement Project which brings Christian help and witness to street children in many cities around the world.
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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