Write a commentAdjudication to select this years winners in the ‘Shining Light’ Community Volunteering Awards is under way following a meeting of the independent adjudication panel on Monday past in Ballybot House.
The awards are organised annually by the Confederation of Community Groups and this year take place on Thursday 5th June in Bellini’s Nightclub, Newry.
Chief Executive Officer of the Confederation of Community Mr Raymond Jackson said “The aim of the Community Volunteering Awards is to honour the life and work of Patricia Graham by recognising the significant contribution made by others to meet the needs of the local community through volunteering. Patricia Graham had a personal commitment and involvement with helping those in need; both in her role as a volunteer and as an employee of the Confederation of Community Groups working in support of volunteers.
“We are delighted to announce that once again there has been a high level of interest in the awards and the diversity of nominations for both individuals and groups highlights the wide range of activities and organisations which make up the local community and voluntary sector; which is both thriving and vibrant. An independent Adjudication Panel met this week to assess the various nominations and the winners in each category will be announced in June at a special function in Bellini’s.
Concluding Mr Jackson added “We are delighted to announce that our main sponsor this year is Newry Credit Union which, like CCG was established by voluntary effort and retains a strong volunteering ethos. CCG would like to thank all our sponsors for their financial support. We are looking forward to the Awards Event in June to honour all the volunteers who have been nominated for recognition.”
The main sponsor of this year’s ‘Shinning Light’ Awards is Newry Credit Union and commenting on the event President Frances McCarthy said “Newry Credit Union is delighted to be the main sponsor of this years’ ‘Shining Light’ Community Volunteering Awards. As President it gives me great pleasure to see local communities volunteering to support their communities of interest. The Credit Union itself began over 50 years ago from that same spirit of community self help and it is indeed gratifying and reassuring to see that same ethos of community self help is still alive and well in our local area. Can I therefore congratulate everyone involved - you are all winners.”
The Confederation of Community Groups invited nominations, from all our affiliated groups and organisations and divided the awards into seven different categories. The groups and individual volunteers nominated are outlined below:
CATEGORY: Age 16-24: Thomas Sloan – Happy Faces NI, Rory Donnan – Kingdom Youth Club, James Treanor – Carnagat Community Association and Naomi McCormick – Happy Faces NI
CATEGORY: Age 25-49: Adrian Patterson – St John Bosco ABC, Paula McGuigan – Carnagat Community Association, Aislinn Connolly – God morning / Good Neighbour Service
Colin Morley – Carnagat Community Association and Valerie Rooney – Carnagat Community Association
CATEGORY: Age 50+ Michael O’Hare – Newry Maritime Association, Marie Sloan - Atticall Golden Club, Edith Edgar – Annalong Community Association, Kathleen Mooney – Carrivemaclone / Lisdrumliska Community Association, Agnes Looney – Mayobridge District Forum, Bridghe McPolin – Mayobridge Women’s Group, Hugh Gilleece – Alzheimer’s Society, Margaret O’Gorman – Puzzles Playgroup, Alison Hutcheson / Angela Canning – Glenanne, Loughgilly & Mountnorris Community Association, Rosemary Smith-Grow NI, Joanne Markey - Carnagat Community Association, Edward Herron – University of Third Age (U3A), Phil McDonald – Newry & Mourne Carers, Aveen Morgan – Drominteee / Jonesboro Luncheon Club, Oliver Murtagh – Lissummon CA, Gerry Coyle – Drumalane / Quayside Close CA, Sean McKevitt – Three Ways Youth Project, Bridie Traynor – Culloville & District CA
CATEGORY: Charity Work: Memories Café – Alzheimer’s Society, Davina’s Ark and Citizens Advice Bureau.
CATEGORY: Older Peoples Services: Atticall Golden Club, Favors For Friends, Falcon Dinner Club, Mayobridge Women’s Group, Dromintee / Jonesboro Luncheon Club, Kilkeel Community Association, Good Morning / Good Neighbour Service, Home Secured Scheme
CATEGORY: Youth Work: St John Bosco A.B.C., Happy Faces NI and Carnagat Youth Group.
CATEGORY: Community Work: Newry Rainbow Community, Eariwig Festival, Annalong Community Association, Drumgath Ladies Group, Derrybeg Cycle Series 2014, TAG – The Action Group, GLM Glenanne/Loughgilly/Mountmorris Community Development Association, Newry & Mourne ME / Fibromyalgia Support Group, Colour You Happy, Courts Community Association, Arthritis Care NI, Newry Docker Project, Drumalane/Quayside Close CA and Cuimhneamh.
