Older Volunteers Exceed Expectations
13 December 2011
Older people are exceeding expectations to help their local communities and three of the best have been honoured at Belfast City Hall.
Mayor, Councillor Niall Ó Donnghaile, said the Belfast City Council Older Volunteer of the Year Award had received nominations from organisations across the city in recognition of the work done by people aged 60 and over.
“All the nominees are exceptional people and the judges had a tough time choosing between them but Jim Pierce, a volunteer with Lighthouse, an organisation working with those bereaved through suicide or sudden death, is a worthy winner.
“He impressed the panel because of the commitment he has shown following the loss of his twin daughters, Geraldine and Georgina, to suicide. His personal experience brings an additional dimension to his volunteering and puts a face on the tragedy of suicide,” said the Mayor.
The Mayor also congratulated the runners up, Jonene McMaster, from Parenting NI and Lynn Davidson, a volunteer driver with the Ulster Cancer Foundation.
“All the volunteers nominated for this award make a difference to the organisations which nominated them and highlight again the very valuable contribution older people make to our society. Their life experiences and commitment are invaluable in dealing with a range of people who need help from their individual organisations.”
The Belfast award is part of the council`s efforts to mark the European Year of Volunteering and has been organised in partnership with Volunteer Now through funding from the Atlantic Philanthropies.
Councillor Bernie Kelly, Chairperson of the Council`s All Party Reference Group for Older People said, “It is a privilege to work on behalf of older people in Belfast especially when we are able to show how much they are doing to help themselves and others. It is great to see a positive attitude to ageing which acts as an example to all of us here today.”
Read more on Volunteer Now's Unlocking Potential Project for the over 50s.
© 2012 Volunteer Now
