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Volunteers Week marked with special reception in Cloonavin

Volunteers Week marked with special reception in Cloonavin

Tue, June 07, 2022

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has marked Volunteers Week with a special reception in Cloonavin for over 80 volunteers from a wide range of community organisations across the Borough.

Volunteers were presented with a special certificate in recognition of their hard work and dedication.

The reception was hosted at Council’s headquarters by the Mayor, Councillor Richard Holmes, in one of his last official duties before he hands over his chain of office.

Praising the ongoing contribution of local volunteers, he said:

“I am delighted to mark the end of my term as Mayor by hosting this well-deserved reception for all of those who work so tirelessly, giving up their spare time and sharing their skills, for the good of our communities.

“It provided an opportunity to highlight the amazing work carried out unassumingly by volunteers across many different fields, including members of management committees and boards, fundraisers and advocates, those who provide practical and emotional support, people who care for animals and the environment and those who contribute to various sporting activities.

“I would like to particularly thank those volunteers who provided support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and who continue to do so. To assist others through such challenging times, while also looking after their own family and friends, is highly commendable and demonstrates the true spirit of volunteering.

“To all our volunteers throughout the Borough, on behalf of Council and the community, I express my heartfelt appreciation for the formidable contribution you make to our area, year on year. Thank you.”

Guest speaker at the reception, Ciara McNickle, Causeway Volunteer Centre, said:

“The excellent work that volunteers do is so impressive, working recently with groups helping to organise Big Lunch and Jubilee celebrations, the commitment of volunteers has been outstanding. 

“Additionally, the commitment of local people over the pandemic was overwhelming and heart-warming. Communities are all about volunteers, they are the heartbeat of the community. We could not do without them.”

Mary McNickle, Manager of Causeway Volunteer Centre added:

“The volunteer commitment in the Borough is outstanding. In the Volunteer Centre we are heartened to see so many local people wanting to take part in groups, help others and give their time so freely. We will continue to support volunteers in our Borough and ensure that they get the best assistance and recognition they deserve.”

The reception was one of a series of celebratory events delivered by Council, Causeway Volunteer Centre and Limavady Volunteer Centre to mark Volunteers Week which takes place from June 1st – June 7th. The campaign is held every year as an annual celebration of the contribution made by volunteers.

Ciara McNickle and Mary McNickle from Causeway Volunteer Centre pictured at the reception in Cloonavin. Roberta Campbell, Margaret Creighton and Elizabeth Nevin from Crafts With Love pictured with their Volunteers Week certificates. Ian Anderson, Michelle Edgar, Sean Hunter, Margaret Kennedy and Betty Linton pictured at the reception for volunteers held in Cloonavin during Volunteers Week. Elizabeth White and Jean Simpson from Ramoan Friendship Group pictured at the reception for volunteers held in Cloonavin during Volunteers Week. Gabrielle Quinn, Ciara McNickle (Causeway Volunteer Centre), the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Councillor Richard Holmes, Mary McNickle (Causeway Volunteer Centre), Louise Scullion and Catherine Farrimond pictured at the reception for volunteers held in Cloonavin during Volunteers Week. Mary McNickle from Causeway Volunteer Centre pictured with the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Councillor Richard Holmes and volunteers from the Royal National Institute for the Deaf at the special reception held in Cloonavin during Volunteers Week. Members of the Men’s Shed in Portstewart pictured with the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Councillor Richard Holmes. Volunteers from Reach in Portrush pictured at Cloonavin with the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Councillor Richard Holmes. Community Development Officer Catherine Farrimond (left) pictured with the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Councillor Richard Holmes and members of Ballybogey Over 55’s group and Community Association. Community Facilities Development Officer Colleen Moran (left) pictured with the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Councillor Richard Holmes, Ciara McNickle from Causeway Volunteer Centre and representatives from the Butterfly Survivors group.
Volunteers from the Ballymoney Arthritis Group pictured at Cloonavin with the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Councillor Richard Holmes. Patricia McQuillan and Mary Gibson from Moneydig Rural Group pictured with the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Councillor Richard Holmes. The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Councillor Richard Holmes pictured with representatives from the Ramoan Friendship Group, Connectus Café, Coolessan Community Group and Causeway Volunteer Centre at the event in Cloonavin to mark the contribution made by volunteers across the Borough. Cathy Adams and Catherine McCauley from Bee Heard pictured with the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Councillor Richard Holmes. The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Councillor Richard Holmes pictured with St Vincent de Paul Area President Anne Irwin (left) and Roisin Doherty from the St Vincent de Paul group in Portrush at the event in Cloonavin to mark the contribution made by volunteers across the Borough. The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Councillor Richard Holmes pictured with volunteers from Castlerock Community Association (centre) and (left-right) Community Development Manager Louise Scullion, Community Facilities Development Officer Colleen Moran, Community Development Officer Gabrielle Quinn, Community Development Officer Catherine Farrimond, Head of Community and Culture Julie Welsh, Neighbourhood Renewal Coordinator Jenni Archer and Grainne McCloskey from the Eden Project. Ross McCloy from Bravehearts NI meets with the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Councillor Richard Holmes at the volunteers’ reception. Ross McCloy from Bravehearts NI takes a moment to examine the Mayor’s chain of office. The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Councillor Richard Holmes pictured with Noeleen Fallis and Heather Daley from Girl Guides Londonderry, Community Development Manager Louise Scullion (left) and Head of Community and Culture Julie Welsh (right). The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Councillor Richard Holmes pictured with Angela Boyle and Liz Byrne from Ballycastle Food Bank, Community Development Manager Louise Scullion (left) and Neighbourhood Renewal Coordinator Jenni Archer (right).
Sean McCarry from the Community Rescue Service pictured with the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Councillor Richard Holmes and Community Development Officer Catherine Farrimond. Mary McNickle from Causeway Volunteer Centre, the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Councillor Richard Holmes, Pat Crossley representing the RNLI and MS Society and Grainne McCloskey from the Eden Project pictured at the reception held in Cloonavin. Harpist Phoebe Kelly provided some beautiful music at the volunteers reception in Cloonavin. Jane Marie Cooke and Tim Cooke from Ballymoney Salvation Army pictured with the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Councillor Richard Holmes at the volunteers’ reception held in Cloonavin.