Press Release 18 April 2017
Immediate use
Music fans raise £4,000 for integrated education
Music fans ofpunk rock legends Stiff Little Fingers (SLF) have been pouring support into the Integrated Education Fund (IEF) to help educate more children together in schools inNorthern Ireland.
Building on a tradition of generosity from the band, fans have worked to raise thousands of pounds to help the IEF. The band’s current on-line pledge campaign, inviting audiences to help finance their forthcoming live album and DVD, includes a promise to channel a percentage of the profits to the IEF. This fundraising initiative has been supplemented in recent days by incredible initiatives from the fans themselves which have brought additional donations. Money has been raised through the band’s guest lists on their UK Tour, as well as through the “Roaring Gang” of SLF devotees who organised a special auction prior to the sell-out show at Glasgow Barrowland on St Patrick’s Day, raising almost £4,000 for the cause.
Paul Caskey from the IEF commented:
“The IEF sends out its thanks to everyone who contributed and especially to Stiff Little Fingers for their continuing support. In turn, the Integrated Education Fund will do all it can to support those parents and schools who want children to grow up together and learn side by side irrespective of religion, culture or background”.
Ali McMordie, SLF Bass-player, said
"We are delighted to extend our support to the IEF. The fans have responded very generously to a great cause which helps breaks down segregation and promote inclusion in schools. My old school, Cliftonville, is now thriving under integrated status and welcoming children from all backgrounds, communities and cultures. It’s amazing to see it go from strength to strength and now setting new standards of academic brilliance!”
In the picture
Marta Piatkowska, Karolina Kolec, Ethan Lea and Jack Wilson from Hazelwood IC with Stiff Little Fingers’ Ali McMordie
Note for editors:
Stiff Little Fingers was formed in 1977 in Belfast. They wrote initially about their own lives, growing up at the height of the “Troubles” in Northern Ireland, in songs like "Suspect Device" and "Wasted Life". In 1979 they became the first band ever to hit the UK top 20 album charts on an independent label with their debut “Inflammable Material”. After a few years of solo projects, the band re-formed in the late 80’s. Their gig in the Barrowlands in Glasgow every March 17th has become a St Patrick’s Day tradition. In November 2015 the band performed in Paris shortly after the terrorist attacks, staying true to their policy of resisting any diminishing of culture by terrorism, which was rooted in their experiences growing up in Northern Ireland.
The IEF is the charity which provides financial support for the development and growth of integrated education. Our aim is to enable children to learn together in an environment that celebrates religious and cultural diversity, making integration, not separation, the norm in the Northern Ireland education system. On the basis of parental demand we continue to support the establishment of more integrated school places, the transformation of existing non-integrated schools to integrated status and cross-community school initiatives that provide meaningful interaction between pupils, parents, staff and the wider community.
Contact details:
Maddy Bridgman, Press Officer: 028 9069 4099/ 078 4192 7724/