A great night to remember for Greenlight Gateway

Wednesday October 6 is a night that the members, trainees, volunteers and staff of Greenlight Gateway will never forget.

It was also a first for the Sheskburn Centre, with Chairman, Cllr Price Mconaghie welcoming Lord Lieutenant Mrs Joan Christie OBE to Moyle to present Greenlight Gateway with their prestigious Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, the MBE for volunteer groups.

The unique and very special award recognises outstanding contributions made to local communities by groups voluntarily devoting their time for the benefit of others. It sets the national benchmark for excellence in volunteering, with the work of those awarded being judged of the highest standard. This year Greenlight Gateway is just one of only four groups in Northern Ireland to receive the award

Greenlight Gateway has received the Award for its innovative social enterprise with and for young adults with learning disabilities, with a philosophy of looking at people's ability and not their disability.

On Wednesday, Greenlight Gateway received a certificate signed by the Queen and an exclusive commemorative crystal, presented by Her Majesty's representative in County Antrim, Mrs Joan Christie, OBE at the special and very moving ceremony. Even more significantly, each and every member, trainee, volunteer and staff member were personally presented with an exclusive piece of crystal to mark the special occasion and each individual's contribution.

Speaking of their success, Ann McIlroy, one of the founders and the current Director of Greenlight Gateway said: "We are absolutely delighted to have received this prestigious award. We are so grateful to Councillor Willie Graham for nominating us. It is hard to believe that only five years ago a small group of young adults began with a big dream and just two can crushers and a few clothes banks as we sought to recycle and provide something different to traditional day care opportunities.

Special thanks must also go to Mary McCracken who began the journey with us way back then. On days like this we are all so grateful and delighted to receive this award made to everyone in Greenlight Gateway, our young people, adults, volunteers, partners and friends. This gives us so much encouragement for now and the future".

Speaking at the ceremony, Mrs. Joan Christie OBE, the Lord Lieutenant said "Outstanding volunteer groups across the UK all too often go without recognition for the truly amazing work they do, despite the vital part they play in helping bind our communities together. It's a great pleasure to celebrate the efforts of Greenlight Gateway with The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service and help raise awareness of all they do for the benefit of others. Having visited myself three times and come away with many fresh blooms I have been inspired by all whom I have met, and never more so than on this night and the very special way you have prepared and thought about how the award would be presented so very carefully"

It is eight years since this award was created by Her Majesty to mark the occasion of her Golden Jubilee in 2002. On this special night in 2010 it was probably down to Jason McBride and Tony McMullan on the evening to best sum up 'how much they love their work, the opportunities they now have and the great friends they have met' They have since been proudly showing one and all the beautiful crystal they received.

To Moyle Council and Staff for hosting the event, Dee Dee for providing the entertainment and of course Mrs. Joan Christie OBE,the Lord Lieutenant who presented the award with such warmth and humility much grateful thanks is due. And to Greenlight Gateway we all wish