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Former Education Minister Michelle McIlveen called in to Newry Gateway Club last week to see for herself the incredible work done by the organisation in the Newry area in the past 50 years.
Speaking after the event Justin McNulty who invited the minister to Newry said “The contribution that Newry Gateway has made to our local community over the last 50 years has been nothing short of extraordinary. I brought the Gateway management team to Stormont a couple of weeks ago so that they could brief the Minister on both the challenges and the opportunities they are facing at this time, and so I am delighted that the Education Minister agreed to visit Newry Gateway Club today to see for herself the incredible work this organisation does in our local community.
“Gateway provides an inclusive and welcoming space for adults and children with learning disabilities, and in doing so, they have brought so many people in from the margins of society and provided a vibrant community of support and development around them.
“The Department of Education are a major funding partner of Newry Gateway, and so I think it is hugely important that the Education Minister was here to see for herself the extraordinary work that Gateway do in fighting for a society where all disabled people enjoy equality and fairness.
“The energy and esprit de corps at the heart of Newry Gateway are evident to anyone who has ever crossed the threshold of this wonderful organisation, and the fact that the overwhelming majority of Gateway’s activities are driven by volunteers only serves to deepen the admiration and affection for them. Newry Gateway are a cornerstone of the community and they need support from Government to continue running.
“I am humbled and extremely proud to be associated with Newry Gateway, and I am hopeful that today’s visit will serve to strengthen Gateway’s relationship with the Department of Education, so that this wonderful organisation will continue to transform the lives of individuals and families for generations to come.”
