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The CCG annual ‘Shining Light’ Awards for community volunteers took place last night, in Bellini’s. The aim of the Awards is to honour the life and work of Patricia Graham by recognising the significant contribution made by others to meet the needs of local communities through volunteering. Over three hundred people, from a broad range of community and voluntary organisations throughout Newry & Mourne, attended the event.
This reflected the high level of interest in the Awards and the diversity of nominations for both individuals and groups. This also served to highlight the wide range of activities and organisations that make up the local community and voluntary sector which is both thriving and vibrant. The Chairperson of the CCG Management Committee, David Cunningham, welcomed the guests and introduced Mr Raymond Jackson, Chief Executive Officer of the CCG.
Mr Cunningham said “I would like to extend a cordial welcome to you all and in particular to our invited guests including our Deputy Mayor Mr Patrick Mc Donald and members of the Graham and Mc McLoughlin family.”
Chief Executive Raymond Jackson added “Tonight’s event reflects the energy and enthusiasm of community volunteering in this area and is the culmination of many weeks of hard work by the CCG ‘Shining Light’ Sub-Committee. Our heartiest congratulations to all the various Award nominees and winners. On behalf of the CCG I would like to pay tribute to the adjudicating panel: Hugh Mallon, Colin Kavanagh, Colette Ruddy and Seanín Graham for giving of their time to assess the dozens of nominations for this year’s ‘Shining Light’ Awards."
Mr Jackson went on to thank sponsors The Quays Shopping Centre, Newry Credit Union, Sainsbury’s Newry and all those who donated items for their raffle and finished by thanking the CCG staff team for their efforts on organising the event and the staff at Bellini’s.
Also speaking at the event Deputy Mayor Mr Patrick Mc Donald “Tonight we are gathered to recognise and pay tribute to the efforts of the many local volunteers who work tirelessly in local communities throughout the Newry & Mourne area. The Council is particularly happy to be associated with this event and to witness the range and quality of nominations received. We are further delighted with the fantastic level of support on display here tonight.
The vital contribution made by so many local volunteers to ensuring that the Newry & Mourne area continues to be a vibrant and friendly place to live, cannot be overstated. Newry & Mourne District Council believes that it is important that the work carried out by local volunteers is formally recognised both by their colleagues in the community / voluntary sector and also, as in tonight’s event, by the private and statutory sectors.”
Concluding he added “The Confederation of Community Group’s ‘Shining Light’ Awards puts community volunteering in the spotlight and acts as a catalyst for promoting inclusive, selfless activity for and on behalf of local communities. I would like to commend all associated with tonight’s event. Finally, may I wish you all an enjoyable and rewarding evening.”
CCG Shining Light Awards Nominees and Award Winners 2013
Youth Category
Nominees: Three ways Youth Club (Joe Byrne); Ballinran Cross Community Summer Scheme (Corrina Gordan); Happy Faces (Julie Smith); Tanglewood Music Festival (Ciara Tumelty)
Youth Category Award Winner: Three ways Youth Club
Charity Category
Nominees: MS Society (Attracta Savage); Newry & Mourne ME / Fibromyalgia (Joan Mc Parland)
Charity Category Award Winner: Newry & Mourne ME / Fibromyalgia
Community Category
Nominees: Community Rescue Service (Roisín Maguinness / Johnny); Courts Community Association (Jacqueline Torley); Drumalane / Quayside Close Community Association (Gerry Coyle); Eariwig Festival Committee (David Murphy); Newry Maritime Association (Eamon Mc Ateer); Newry Rainbow Community (Damian Mc Kevitt)
Community Category Joint Award Winners: Community Rescue Service & Newry Maritime Association.
Older People Category
Nominees: Carrivemaclone & Lisdrumliska Community Association (Michael Ennis); Favors for Friends (Claire Quigley); Three Ways Senior Citizens (Ailish Murphy)
Older People Category Award Winners: Three Ways Senior Citizens
Age 16 – 24 Category
This Category has been kindly sponsored by The Quays (Colin Kavannagh)
Nominees: Eunan Woods (Carnagat Community Association); Michael Hassan (St Mary’s Youth Club); Philip Armstrong (Volunteer in Ballybot House – not able to attend Awards); Rhiannon Gallagher (Women’s Aid & Good Morning Good Neighbour Volunteer); Ryan Quinn (St Mary’s Youth Club); Shelley Darling (Greater Linenhall Area Community Association)
Age 16 – 24 Category Award Winner: Rhiannon Gallagher
This Category has been kindly sponsored by Sainsbury’s (Michelle Casey)
Nominees: Avril Hanna (Happy Faces); David Mc Crink (The Active Group); Emma O’Hare (Volunteer Now); Kerrie Cartmill (The Active Group); Mariea Harte (Citizens Advice Bureau); Mervyn Henry (Good Morning Good Neighbour / Action Mental Health); Robin Crory (Citizens Advice Bureau); Tara Campbell (Kingdom Youth Club / An Ríocht); Turlough Eastwood (Kingdom Youth Club / An Ríocht).
Age 25 – 49 Category Award Winner: Mariea Harte
Age 50+ Category
This Category has been kindly sponsored by Newry Credit Union (Liam Quinn)
Nominees: Bridie Hughes (Drumalane / Quayside Close Community Association); Eithne Torley (Arthritis Care); Ena Marley (Good Morning Good Neighbour); Gerry Mc Anuff (U3A / Good Morning Good Neighbour); Kathleen Mc Keown (Falcon Luncheon Club); Marylou Fleming (Good Morning Good Neighbour); Michael Cahill (St Mary’s Youth Club); Mickey Mallon (Newry Maritime Association); Phyllis Kimbley (Carnagat Area Community Association); Seamus Morgan (Monday Night Club / Good Morning Good Neighbour); Tom Cunningham (Kingdom Youth Club / An Ríocht); Veronica Mc Aleer (Lissummon Community Association).
Age 50+ Category Award Winner: Phyllis Kimbley
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