Community Heroes Celebrated

March 15, 2019

Local individuals and voluntary organisations from across the Lisburn Castlereagh area were recognised at the Mayor’s Community Awards last night (14 March).

The awards, held in La Mon Hotel, recognised the hard work and dedication of all those working within our local community. Entertainment was provided by the talented Fusion Theatre and the compére for the evening was John Daly.

The winners of the categories were:-

Helping Hands Award
Autism Support Group

Brian MacDowell Voluntary Commitment to Your Community Award
Pauline Buller, Aghalee Village Hall

Youth Leadership Award
Fusion Theatre

Community Leadership Award
Trisha McCormick

Charity of the Year Award
Lisburn Foodbank

Making a Difference Award
Moneyrea Primary School

Mayor’s Choice Award
Helping Hands Autism Support Group

Speaking about the event, the Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Councillor Uel Mackin, commented: “It has been truly inspirational to learn about the work that takes place across a variety of sectors and how this impacts the lives of so many people within our local community.   The volunteers and voluntary organisations, who undertake this work, do so in a selfless manner and it is through the Mayor’s Community Awards that we can give them the recognition they deserve.  To bring all of these inspirational people under the one roof is our way of saying thank you.  Well done to all our winners, the shortlisted nominees and to those who took the time to nominate their community heroes.  I want to also thank our partners; the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, Volunteer Now and the Education Authority for their input to the Awards which demonstrated strong inter-agency working.”

The council received a total of 57 nominations from different sectors within in the Lisburn Castlereagh area including: community, health and well-being, active lifestyles, faith based, education, counselling and listening, environmental, conservation, supporting people with disabilities, women’s, men’s and youth groups, arts, sports and music.

Alderman Paul Porter, Chairman of the Council’s Leisure & Community Development Committee, commented: “The council operates this Awards scheme through its Cultural & Community Services Unit to give back to local individuals and groups who are the unsung heroes within the council area.  We are delighted to publicly acknowledge all the good work they do within our community.  Without these dedicated individuals, organisations and groups a lot of valuable work would not take place in the Lisburn Castlereagh area. Well done to all the winners and nominees.”

The Mayor’s Community Awards is an annual celebration of Community Heroes striving to improve the lives of the local Lisburn Castlereagh community. 

Winners of the above Categories.