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The second year of the Confederation of Community Groups ‘Shining Light’ Community Volunteering Awards will take place this year on Thursday 6th June at 7.45pm in Bellini’s Nightclub, Newry and the night promises to be even bigger and better than last year.
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.
Once again this year, 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.
We invited nominations, from groups or organisations affiliated to the Confederation of Community Groups, in seven different categories and the Nominations are:
Shining Light Award Category: Age 16 – 24
Eunan Woods: Carnagat Area Community Association (Youth Volunteer)
Michael Hassan: St Mary’s Youth Club
Philip Armstrong: Volunteer in Ballybot House
Rhiannon Gallagher: Millennium Volunteer
Ryan Quinn: St Mary’s Youth Club
Shelley Darling: The Greater Linenhall Area Community Association
Shining Light Award Category: Age 25 – 49
Avril Hanna: Happy Faces N.I.
David Mc Crink: The Active Group (TAG)
Emma O’Hare: Admin support Volunteer Now
Kerrie Cartmill: The Active Group (TAG)
Mariea Harte: Citizen’s Advice Bureau
Mervyn Henry: Community Health Mentor
Robin Crory: Citizen’s Advice Bureau
Tara Campbell: The Kingdom Youth Club
Turlough Eastwood: Chairperson An Riocht GAA Club
Shining Light Award Category: Age 50+
Bridie Hughes: Drumalane / Quayside Close Community Association
Eithne Torley: Arthritis Care Newry Branch
Ena Marley: Good Morning Good Neighbour
Gerry Mc Anuff: U3A & Good Morning Good Neighbour
Kathleen Mc Keown: Falcon Luncheon Club
Mary Lou Fleming: Good Neighbour volunteer
Michael Cahill: St Mary’s Youth Club
Mickey Mallon: Newry Maritime Association
Phyliss Kimbley: Carnagat Area Community Association
Seamus Morgan: Monday Night Club & Good Morning Good Neighbour
Tom Cunningham: An Riocht GAA Club
Veronica Mc Ateer: Lissummon Community Association
Shining Light Award Category: Older People’s Services
Carrivemaclone & Lisdrumliska Community Association
Favours For Friends
Three Ways Senior Citizen’s Group
Shining Light Award Category: Charity Work
Multiple Sclerosis Society
Newry & Mourne ME / Fibromyalgia
Shining Light Award Category: Community Work
Community Rescue Services
Courts Community Association
Drumalane / Quayside Close Community Association
Eariwig Festival Committee
Newry Maritime Association
Newry Rainbow Community
Shining Light Award Category: Youth Work
Three Ways Youth Project
Ballinran Cross Community Summer Scheme
Happy Faces
Tanglewood Music Festival
We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank the work of the adjunction panel who are independent from the Confederation of Community Groups and who have responsibility for selecting the award winners from each category: Seanin Graham (Irish News), Colette Ruddy (Volunteer Now), Colin Kavanagh (The Quays) and Hugh Mallon (St Joseph’s Boys High School).
All award winners will be announced at the Shining Light Community Volunteering Awards in Bellini’s on the 6th of June.
A spokesperson added "We are looking forward to an evening of light hearted fun and a chance to recognise the tremendous contribution that community volunteers make to life in this area."
