Mayor's Award for Volunteering

LISBURN CITY VOLUNTEERS

SHOWCASED IN PACKED

AWARDS CEREMONY

The best of volunteering organisations that Lisburn City has to offer attended the prestigious Mayor’s Awards for Volunteers, hosted by Ms Nuala McKeever, at Lagan Valley Island.

The Mayor’s Awards gala evening saw winners in the following categories.

Young Volunteer of the Year 2008

Charlotte Orr, Hillsborough Presbyterian Girls’ Brigade.

Supporting Volunteering Award (Small Group) 2008

Lisburn Action Cancer Fund-raising Group

Supporting Volunteering Award (Large Group) 2008

Footprints Women’s Centre Volunteer Team

Adult Volunteer of the Year 2008

Stanley Poots, Dromara Village & District Community Association

The new People’s Choice Award, where members of the public voted online and through media voting, saw the Lisburn Citizens Advice Bureau scoop the trophy.

All nominees for each of the Award Categories were presented with a certificate and all nominees and nominators were invited to the event along with elected representatives.

Speaking after the event Councillor Tinsley said:  “I found the event quite humbling.  There was a sea of people in the Island Hall, and every person there contributed to society; little or great with their volunteering work.

“This is the largest event of the annual Mayor’s Awards to date.  Congratulations are due to Charlotte, Footprints Women’s Centre Volunteer Team, Stanley and Lisburn Action Cancer Fund-raising Group.  The Runner’s Up for the first-ever People’s Choice Award, Elsie Vance, Ciaran McQuillan and Lisburn Voluntary Laundry Service deserve a special mention.

“The first People’s Choice Award winner, the Lisburn Citizens Advice Bureau, were very pleased to have been chosen and we thank them, as a Council, for all that they do.”

The Mayor also expressed appreciation to the event’s partners, Lisburn Volunteer Centre, South Eastern Education and Library Board and South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust for their input to the Awards.

The Leisure Services Department was also commended for its organisation.  The Director of Leisure Services, Mr Jim Rose, said:  “This event takes a lot of pre-planning and organising.  Its whole objective is to give something back to the people who give up their time and help others.  These people deserve recognition and Leisure Services is happy to do its bit to showcase their contribution to society by the Awards Gala Night.”