Media Notification - Launch of the ‘Simon Cumbers Media Challenge Fund’, 26 October 2005

On Wednesday 26th October at 5pm in Iveagh House, Minister of State for Development Cooperation and Human Rights, Conor Lenihan T.D., will launch the 'Simon Cumbers Media Challenge Fund 2005'.

Simon Cumbers died aged 36 after being shot by gunmen in the Saudi capital, Riyadh on 6th June 2004.  He was working with BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner in a suburb of Riyadh, when they were fired on by terrorists.  Simon Cumbers died at the scene and Frank Gardener was critically wounded.

Over a year after his tragic death, Minister of State Conor Lenihan T.D., in close consultation with Simon's wife and family, decided to rename the Media Challenge Fund in his memory.

The purpose of this Fund is financially to assist journalists, media organisations and development practitioners in producing media pieces around themes relating to international development.

Full details of the fund are available at: http://www.dci.gov.ie

The event will be attended by members of the late Simon Cumbers' family, friends and professional colleagues from the media, and development practitioners.

Members of the press planning to attend this event are requested to let the Press Office know by lunchtime on Wednesday 26th October.

Please contact:

Owen Feeney (01) 408 2275

ENDS ++++
24 October 2005
Press Office