SAVE the Children volunteers from across Northern Ireland have been recognised for their commitment and dedication at a special ceremony in Hillsborough Castle, at which HRH The Princess Royal was guest of honour.
‘Volunteer Day’ is an annual event to thank the 500 people who give their time freely to support the organisation and help raise money to fund local and international projects.
In 2006/7, Save the Children raised £2 million in Northern Ireland, £5
00,000 of which was raised directly by the 23 volunteer branches and six shops here.
Guests from the corporate sector and local celebrities also attended the event. Save the Children wanted to recognise the contribution they make to the organisation - both financial and in kind.
They included Cool FM’s Pete Snodden, who will be hosting a fundraising ball next month.
Belfast businesswoman and Save the Children ‘child poverty champion’ Brenda Shankey was among the guests, along with IKEA store manager, Paul Reid.
A number of awards were presented at the ceremony to recognise achievement.
The Junior Rita Rodden Cup for outstanding contribution to Save the Children was given to Finaghy Primary School in south Belfast. The school was the first to sign up to Save the Children’s Rewrite the Future campaign – and went on to raise £4,000 for education projects in areas of conflict.
And Dalriada Grammar School received the Senior Rita Rodden Cup to mark its longstanding association with Save the Children. The Ballymoney school has supported the organisation for more than 30 years.
The Orde Salver was presented to Save the Children’s Newry & District volunteer branch for its exceptional fundraising achievement.
And long-service awards were given to 13 Save the Children volunteers. Volunteer branch workers are recognised for 21 years’ service and those assisting in the shops for 10 years’ service.
A new Business Award was made to Nigel Gray, Head of Region for M&S in Northern Ireland, to recognise the support given to Save the Children’s ‘Go Tea-potty’ fundraising initiative earlier this year.
Jo Keating, Fundraising Executive for Save the Children in Northern Ireland said: “We look forward to meeting the volunteers every year and taking the opportunity to thank them for their tremendous commitment to Save the Children.
“We know that without the support of our volunteers and supporters, Save the Children would not be able to continue its work here at home or overseas.
“We are indebted to every one of them. This was our 56th Volunteer Day, and we wish the branches many more years of successful fundraising.”
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