LIKE so many others, Gavin and Margaret Walker of Bangor, Co Down, watched the unravelling of the ceasefire on television on Friday with incredulity and despair. But in contrast to the majority of us, they decided to do something.
Until yesterday, they were a middle class couple of no political affiliations. Now, with their appeal for one million "postcards for peace", they have been thrust to the vanguard of the peace movement.
The "No More Violence" campaign so hastily arranged by the Walkers over the weekend struck an instant chord with listeners who heard them on RTE and BBC Northern Ireland yesterday. Mr Walker says that promises of support have flooded in and their target of one million letters or postcards opposing violence looks attainable.
"Seeing the effects of the Canary Wharf bomb, we went through all the emotions disbelief, anger, despair. Then we looked at our 15 month old son Christopher, who was born in peacetime and knew only peace until last Friday. We had to do something to retrieve that peace for him," Mr Walker says.
The couple initially thought of writing to John Major but felt this would have little effect. They hit upon the idea of a mass write in campaign as an easy, inexpensive way for ordinary people in Ireland and Britain to show their support for peace.
No decision has been made yet as to where the letters will be sent after next Friday's deadline. Mr Walker told RTE yesterday he planned to deliver them to the doorstep of Sinn Fein in Belfast, but he now says he regrets this idea. They may now go to the City Hall in Belfast or the Northern Ireland Office instead.
Mr Walker, who has participated in peace rallies in the past, says he is aware of the chequered history of previous such initiatives. "We're not naive enough to think that the boys will put down the guns just by us doing this. But we know that each effort for peace amounts to another brick in the wall which will block out the terrorism.
"Everything is there to play for over the next few days. Either it' will all get unbearable again or the strands of trust that have developed between the different communities will come into play.
"It's unacceptable for anyone to be putting up ridiculous barriers at this time. After 17 months of peace, with the money it has brought in and the jobs it has created, to lose our well being to one crazy act would be terrible."
Letters to the Walkers' campaign should be addressed to "No More Violence", PO Box 4, Bangor BT19 6LU, Co Down. Messages can be of any length, but should be sent to arrive before Friday.
