#WeStandTogether is a campaign for a more peaceful Greater Manchester and is run by Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Peace Foundation, Greater Manchester Police and the Manchester Evening News.
We want to make sure every child in Greater Manchester is given the chance to learn about peace and how to solve problems without turning to violence; To encourage and celebrate acts of love and kindness and to help fight every kind of crime which is driven by hatred. We're working with the Foundation for Peace and Greater Manchester Police - and we want community groups, businesses and YOU to join in too.
On March 20th, 1993, the day before Mothering Sunday, the Irish Republican Army (IRA) exploded two bombs without warning in a shopping street in the town of Warrington.
Sadly, Three-year-old Johnathan Ball died at the scene. Five days later, 12-year-old Tim Parry lost his life as a result of fatal head injuries. 54 others were injured, some seriously.
After the bombing, Colin and Wendy, the Parents of Tim Parry, wanted to understand why the IRA targeted the high street of a medium-sized town in the Northwest of England.
Colin and Wendy Parry made a ‘special’ Panorama documentary programme, which took them to Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Boston in the USA. During their time in Northern Ireland, they visited organisations working for Peace.
After the visit, Wendy proposed building a Peace Centre, both as a memorial to the boys, and to help peace process in Ireland.