COLIN Parry and Lynne McCadden have been spreading the story behind the peace centre to important leading lights in the American-Irish community.

Colin and Lynne, who is the business development manager for the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Trust, spent time in New York and Boston in the USA last week.

On the day before St Patrick's Day they went to a meeting with the US-Ireland Council which was followed the next day at the Waldorf Astoria where the Governor of New York State's breakfast was held.

They met a leading US lawyer who advised them how they could become a registered charity in the States and so legitimately raise funds there and had talks with the British Consulate.

Colin also did interviews on an Irish radio station and with an Irish newspaper and met the former US ambassador to Ireland.

They also spent a day at Harvard Law School talking to Roger Fisher, who had been an advisor to the government and had years of experience mediating with other hostile countries.

Colin said: "We were introducing our story, history and purpose to as many people as we could. We went to lots of meetings and venues sowing seeds and I think some of those will flower and some will not, but that is the nature of the beast."

The Trust will decide on the best way forward in its next meeting.