Older Volunteer of the Year Award 2011

Older person volunteering As part of the European Year of Volunteering 2011, we ran a competition to find the Older Volunteer of the Year, supported by Volunteer Now, through the Atlantic Philantrophies.

The aim of the award was to recognise and celebrate the valuable work of volunteers, aged 60 or more, within organisations, groups and communities across Belfast.

Eleven organisations nominated their volunteers for the award, and judges from Volunteer Now and the council selected one overall winner and two runners-up.

Overall winner - Jim Pierce

Jim is a volunteer with Lighthouse, an organisation which works with those bereaved through suicide and other sudden death. He impressed the panel because of the commitment he has given to the organisation following the loss of his twin daughters, Geraldine and Georgina, through suicide.

His personal experience brings an additional dimension to his volunteering and puts a face to the tragedy of suicide.

Runner-up - Jonene McMaster

Jonene is a helpline volunteer with Parenting NI, a leading parenting support organisation. Over the last year, she has provided 85 families with support, guidance and information.

Jonene not only gives time to her role as a helpline volunteer, but she also serves as a mentor and role model to other volunteers within the organisation.

Runner-up - Lynn Davidson

Lynn Davidson is a volunteer driver for Ulster Cancer Foundation.

The driving service is for cancer patients who, for health, finance or personal reasons, do not have access to transport to allow them to attend regular hospital appointments for their cancer treatment.

The support Lynn received from UCF during her own cancer diagnosis inspired her to volunteer her time with the organisation. As well as her role as a volunteer driver, Lynn also supports fundraising events and mailshots and mans information stands.

Lynn's nomination reflected her willingness to go beyond her main role as a volunteer driver and help out wherever and whenever she is needed.

More information

2011 is the first year of the Older Volunteer of the Year Award, which will continue until at least 2013.

If you would like more information, please contact:

Tracy Mawhinney
Community Services Section
Development Department
Cecil Ward Building
4-10 Linenhall Street
Belfast
BT2 8BP

Telephone: 028 9032 0202 (extension 3775)
Email: mawhinneyt@belfastcity.gov.uk