A village synonymous with the Troubles is embarking on an ambitious drive to transform the fortunes of the area.
The Crossfire Trust is hosting a fundraiser to "stimulate better feelings" towards Darkley, a south Armagh village blighted by one the Troubles' worst atrocities.
The aim of the event is to improve perceptions of the area around Darkley village where in 1983 the Catholic Reaction Force shot dead three Protestant civilians at a church service.
David Wilson (44), William Brown (59) and John Cunningham (39) were killed at the Mountain Lodge Pentecostal Church. At the time there were about 60 people inside the small wooden building. The three men had been standing outside. The gunmen then stood outside the church and sprayed it with bullets. Seven other people were injured.
The Crossfire Trust has now organised `The Romance in the Land' event, which hopes to raise £2,000, on Saturday, February 13.
The charitable trust, which operates on a cross border basis, runs projects from Darkley House, which offers residential care. It also has a peace garden on site. In 2002, it was awarded the President's Prize and in 2008, it received the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.
Director Ian Bothwell said: "In our past we found people reluctant to come to Darkley. They are keen to come in daylight but wanting to leave before dark. It has a name and an image. We are trying to showcase the nice landscape, the views of the forest and we have a facility which is homely, welcoming and caring.
"We are independent and we develop our own care plan. Most people come from Housing Executive or social services. They are all in need of support and accommodation.
"We are finding the need in the community is greater than the resources available through grants and that there a need for bread and butter on the table".
More information is available by calling 028 3753 1636.
