Ballymoney spark Chris wins Unsung Hero at awards

The father-of-two attended the Electrical Awards run by Electrical Magazine at the Hilton in Belfast on Thursday where he was nominated as Unsung Hero of the Year.

An employee of Yesss Electrical in Coleraine, Chris was delighted to receive the award.

“It was given to someone who has made a positive impact in the community and I think I was nominated for my fundraising,” explained Chris who, along with his wife Frances, raised £5,000 for Friends of the Cancer Centre earlier this year.

The couple bravely did an abseil and a bungee jump on the same day in April to raise funds for the charity.

Quite a feat for most of us but when you consider that in 2013, Chris was diagnosed with GIST - a rare form of cancer - and as part of his treatment had to have his stomach removed, losing four stone in weight in the process, then this is quite a remarkable achievement.

“Award ceremonies aren’t really my thing but it was nice to be recognised,” he said.

And last weekend also saw Chris return to competitive rugby with Ballymoney Rugby Club’s fourth XV - his first outing since his illness was discovered.

“I don’t know if I’m wise or not,” joked Chris, saying that he plays for the “golden oldies”.