WATCH: Dana urges local people to show ‘famous community spirit’ this Christmas

The 1970 Eurovision Song Contest winner is the latest in a series of high profile celebrities from Derry & Strabane to take part on an online video appeal urging caution as the north prepares to reopen later this week following a two-week circuit breaker. Others include Roma Downey and boxer turned actor John Duddy.

Calling on local people to band together, Dana said: “In Derry and across our area no matter what challenges we face, we always unite together for the greater good.

“No-one could have foreseen the challenge we faced this year and the effect that it had on so many lives, of all ages, but we pulled together to keep each other safe, and I am asking the people across Derry and Strabane to keep doing that.

“We haven’t beaten this virus yet, but we will if we keep following the health guidelines and the government safety restrictions that are in place.”

Dana continued: “As we draw closer to Christmas, we know it will be different for many of us this year, but we all want to ensure that it’s safe and healthy.

“So, let’s keep showing that famous community spirit. Let’s pull together and do our part to keep ourselves and other people safe so we can have a really happy and healthy Christmas.”

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Brian Tierney, said: “Dana is a well-respected and well-loved figure within Derry and across our Council area and I’m delighted that she has joined with me in sharing this message at a very important time, as we head into Christmas.

“We still have a lot of work to do in reducing the number of Covid cases here, so I hope everyone will heed the message from Dana to do your bit in protecting the most vulnerable in our community and making sure that we can all enjoy Christmas.”

To view the video, visit the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Facebook or Twitter.