Following discussion between the Thomas Devlin Fund and OMAC it has been agreed that the artwork in memory of Thomas will be part of the new museum and arts centre planned for the Cathedral Quarter in Belfast.

The intention of the Fund is for the artwork to symbolise the hopes and aspirations of young people. The artwork will also focus people's minds on the futility of violence.

The trustees of the Fund will engage young people in the development of the artwork.

Nine young musicians received the first bursaries awarded by the Thomas Devlin Fund at a fundraising gala Dinner held in the Europa Hotel.

The young winners were all planning to use the bursary to develop their musical skills in a variety of ways - from taking masterclasses to a study tour in Brazil to going to colleges of music and buying an instrument- all of the winners will benefit from the financial support provided by the bursaries.

Over three hundred guests attended the gala Dinner and enjoyed the comedy of Sean Crummie, the raffle and auction and music by the backbone Blues Band. Special guests included Susan Elliot the U.S Consul in Belfast and Gary Ansbro from the Irish Government; Bernie Kelly the Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast.

The Thomas Devlin Fund has been 'accepted as a charity by HM Revenue and Customs'

This means that we now have charitable status.

We hope that this will widen the scope of available funding. We would welcome businesses taking on the Fund as their preferred charity.We would also encourage every donor to fill in a gift aid form so that we can take full advantage of the Gift Aid Scheme. Our leaflets and the web site will soon be amended to reflect this formal approval from the Inland Revenue.