Write a commentThursday night past say the Confederation of Community Groups (CCG) Annual ‘Shining Light’ Awards for community volunteers taking place in The Canal Court Hotel, Newry.
Almost five hundred people from a broad range of community and voluntary organisations attended the event with Raymond Jackson, Chief Executive Officer of the Confederation of Community Groups, welcoming the guests. Guests included Naomi Bailie, Chairperson, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and MP for Newry and Armagh Mr. Mickey Brady.
Opening the event Mr Jackson said “I extend a cordial welcome to you all and in particular our invited guests including our First Citizen, Naomi Bailie and MP or Newry and Armagh, Mr Mickey Brady.
"The ‘Shining Light’ Community Volunteering Awards were established by the Confederation of Community Groups to celebrate the life and work of the CCG’s own Patricia Graham who sadly passed away in 2009. Patricia was employed by the Confederation and as a volunteer she gave countless hours of her time to many community projects within this area.
"Tonight’s event is the culmination of many weeks of hard work by CCG staff reflecting the energy and enthusiasm of the volunteers being recognised here this evening. On behalf of the Confederation I would also like to pay tribute to the adjudication panel including Hugh Mallon (St Joseph’s Boys HS), Frances Mc Carthy (Newry Credit Union), Colette Ruddy (Community Volunteer) and Seánin Graham (Family Representative), for taking the time to assess the many nominations we received."
Mr Jackson concluded “On behalf of the CCG’ s voluntary board I would like to take this take this opportunity to emphasise that the ‘Shining Light’ Community Volunteering Awards are established, not as a competition among groups but as a means to recognise and promote the incredible work of the community and voluntary sector in this area. The Confederation would like to congratulate everyone who was nominated for an Award, the wide range of nominations received highlights the rich tapestry of volunteering which is evident throughout the area."
The Chief Executive thanked CCG Staff, The Canal Court Hotel, main sponsors Newry Credit Union and all the sponsors who helped make the event such a wonderful occasion.
Speaking on the night Council Chairperson Naomi Bailie said “Tonight we are recognising and paying tribute to the many volunteers who work tirelessly for the benefit of local communities throughout the area.
"Newry, Mourne and Down District Council are particularly happy to be associated with this event and to witness the range and quality of nominations which this year has surpassed all expectations. We are further delighted with the fantastic level of support on display here tonight. The important contribution made by local volunteers to ensuring that the Newry & Mourne area continues to be a vibrant and friendly place in which to live, cannot be overstated. Newry, Mourne and Down District Council believes that it is vital 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 sector and by ourselves in the statutory sector."
The Chairperson concluded "I would like to commend all associated with tonight’s celebration. The CCG’s ‘Shining Light’ Awards puts community volunteering in the spotlight and is in itself a good example of a positive inter - community event.”
‘Shining Light’ Community Volunteering Awards 2015 Nominees and Winners
Category 16 – 24 Sponsor: First Derivatives Ltd, Newry
Aoife Mc Ateer - Citizens Advice Bureau
Rose Ellen Carlon - Greater Linenhall Area Community Association (Winner)
Kaitlin Carlon - Greater Linenhall Area Community Association
Category 25 – 49 Sponsor: Newry, Mourne and Down District Council
Adrian Moore - Carnagat Area Community Association (Winner)
Fra Mc Guigan - Carnagat Area Community Association
Mary Morgan - Chatterbox Speech Club – N&M Down Syndrome
Glenda Douglas - Work4UPlus Programme – N&M Enterprise Agency
Rory Rafferty - Newry Rainbow Community
Regina Rodgers - Good Morning Newry & Mourne
Geraldine Mc Aleenan - Greater Linenhall Area Community Association
Seamus Smyth - Mayobridge Lourdes Committee – Mayobridge Women
Category 50 – 64 Sponsor: Newry Credit Union Ltd, Newry
Seamus Curran - Kingdom Youth Club
Gloria Havern - Ballyholland Sunshine Club
Roishin Magennis - South Down Community Rescue Service
Fiona Mc Aleenan - ‘The Swallows’ Womens Group
Jacquelyn Stewart - Work4UPlus Programme – N&M Enterprise Agency
Columba O’Hare - Newry Rainbow Community
Mary Mallon - N&M Senior Citizens Consortium (joint Winner)
Maureen Ruddy - Alzheimers Society
Robert Trotter - GROW in the North of Ireland
Maria Mc Bride - Action Mental Health New Horizons
James Mc Arevey - Newry Maritime Association
Bernie Sloan - Good Morning Good Neighbour (joint Winner)
Category 65+ Sponsor: Haldane Fishers Ltd, Newry
Frank Johnstone - Newry Felons Club
Mary Burns - Annalong Community Association (joint Winner)
Pat Courtney - Citizens Advice Bureau
Jim Mc Ardle - Three Ways Community Association
Brendan Hodgers - Ti Chullainn Cultural Centre
Mary Dennison - M.S. Society
May Patton - N&M M.E. / Fibromyalgia Support Group (joint Winner)
Category: Community Project / Service Sponsor: The Quays Shopping Centre , Newry
Preservation and Promotion of Newry’s Maritime History – Newry Maritime Association
Davina’s Ark
Little Stars – Barcroft Community Association
South Down Community Rescue Service (Winners)
Newry Rainbow Community Women’s Group
Happy Faces ‘The Willow Project’ / Colour you Happy
The Rainbow Club Crossmaglen
Category: Youth Work – Sponsor Red Rock Training
Bumps & Babies (joint Winners)
Carnagat Youth Group (joint Winners)
Carrivemaclone / Lisdrumliska Youth Programme
Greater Linenhall Area Community Association – Summer Scheme
Three Ways Youth Project
Category: Older People’s Services Sponsor: Sainsbury’s, Newry
Mullaghbawn Reminiscence Café – Alzheimers Society (joint Winner)
An Ríocht Social Initiative Group
Newry University of the Third Age
Good Day Good Carer (joint Winner)
Category: Community Group / Association Sponsor: Newry & Mourne Enterprise Agency
Ballybot Community Association
Autism Mums
N&M M.E. / Fibromyalgia Support Group
Newry Street Unite Community Association
Eariwig Festival
Derrybeg Community Association (Winners)
