Creggan Neighbourhood Partnership celebrates 30 years as 'inspiring' organisation

PICTURED ABOVE: CNP CELEBRATE 30TH BIRTHDAY!. . . . .The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Ruairi McHugh pictured with staff from the Creggan Neighbourhood Partnership at their 30th Anniversary Celebrations in the Maldron Hotel on Saturday night. From left are Kellie McBrearty, Che McMonagle, Danielle Devine, manager, CNP, Megan Hegarty and Hayley Burke. (Photo: Jim McCafferty Photography)

The Maldron Hotel was the focal point for celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Creggan Neighbourhood Partnership on Saturday night last as the people of Creggan and the many local community groups were joined by the city and district’s Mayor, Ruairi McHugh to mark the occasion.

Over 150 were in attendance to hear Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Ruairi McHugh praise the CNP for their sterling work over three decades and described them as ‘an inspiring community organisation that has worked tirelessly over the years to support and uplift the people of Creggan and surrounding areas.’ The Mayor also wished Danielle and her staff many more years of making a difference for Creggan.

Speakers on the night included Danielle Devine, centre manager and chair Tony O’Doherty. This was followed by a video screening bringing back memories of the old Corned Beef Tin, with many of the staff who worked there being interviewed on their times at the centre. These included such notable characters as Gerry Duddy and Nucker Tierney who have lived all their lives in the Creggan.

Creggan Neighbourhood Partnership has been providing a range of services to Creggan and the local community since being established in 1995 to address the ongoing social needs of the area through the promotion of social and economic regeneration programmes, education, employability services, welfare advice, addiction and debt advice, family led initiatives and also community development programmes.

IN PICTURES: Creggan Neighbourhood Partnership celebrates 30 years of community service

Mayor lauds 'inspiring' community organisation at event in Derry's Maldron Hotel

Their grass roots approach ensures that there is ‘full buy-in’ from residents in the Estate to guarantee that the needs of the community are met through agreed objectives.

Speaking at Saturday’s gala event, Mrs. Devine praised all her staff for the hard work they put in preparing for the celebration.

‘Tonight is testament to those who work at CNP. When I watched tonight’s video screening I realised the hard work put in by those who have gone before us to making Creggan Neighbourhood Partnership the success it has become.

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The annual event was held at the Millennium Forum to raise funds for the Foyle Hospice

‘The attendance at tonight’s event shows how important CNP are to the people of Creggan and I’m delighted to see the support shown by the many community and voluntary organisations around the district in celebrating with us tonight. A massive thank you to everyone who has and continues to support us.’

The celebrations continued with a sumptuous dinner followed by entertainment with the Legacy Band.