Hey guys, this is Colin checking in again regarding our basketball program here in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

After a refreshing Easter holiday, TJ, Dave and I are itching to get the guys back in the gym as we make our final push in preparing for this summer. We’ll have some games in the coming weeks which will serve as a nice barometer for how far we have progressed, and how far we still have to go. I’ll be sure to post summaries detailing the games once they have transpired.

In other news, Mike Evans was able to raise over $4,000 at a Full Court Peace fundraiser in Boston last week. With more events this spring both here in Belfast and over in America, we continue to be right on schedule for our fundraising goals. Special thanks to all the volunteers here and in the States who have donated their time, money, and energy. We truly appreciate it.

Until next time

- Colin

Hey guys, this is Colin checking in again regarding our basketball program here in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The Full Court Peace program staged another successful fundraiser this past Saturday, April 4th. Thanks to Dave Cullen, Sainsbury’s (a huge grocery retailer in the United Kingdom) allowed for our two teams to come in and pack their customers’ bags for the day. From 9 am until 5:30 pm, we manned the vast spread of checkouts this particular Sainbury’s bears, collecting donations both big and small for our efforts. The Blazers came in for the morning session, arriving bright and early in order so that we might speedily indoctrinate them on the merits of packing eggs, fruits, and other perishables at the top of bags so not to crush them, etc. In all seriousness, the guys did a great job, and I’d like to extend a special thanks to Darren Whyte and John Mulholland, two teachers from St. Joseph’s who helped supervise the guys while also packing bags them selves. Both have continuously offered their help throughout the year, and we are very grateful.

The Bulldogs took over at 1:30, sacrificing a Saturday afternoon to help in this fundraising endeavor. We worked non-stop for the next four hours, the guys charming the customers and informing them of what our program is all about, where the donated money would be going, etc. At this point, I would also like to thank St. Colm’s PE teacher Diane Brennan, who took time out of her own busy Saturday to pack some bags and watch over the guys.

All in all, it was a very successful day. We were able to raise over 1100£, taking a major step towards our overall goal.

Dunmurry and Orangefield are off for the next two weeks on Easter Break, with St. Joe’s and St. Colm’s joining them on school holidays this Thursday. Everyone, including TJ, Dave and I will look to use these next weeks to recharge the batteries and get ready for the final push before our trip to America this summer.

I’ll be back with some updates in the not too distant future. Until then, take care.

- Colin