Big lunch for big-hearted people in Limavady

Limavady Arts and Culture Centre was the setting for celebration this week when volunteers gathered for a recognition event organised by the Volunteer Centre at LCDI and supported by Limavady Borough Council. As in previous years the organisers used Volunteers Week as the spur to acknowledge the contributions of the Borough’s volunteers. And this year Big Lunch NI were also keen to add their message of support to the event. Volunteering is all about working together to create a better society which ties in perfectly with the ethos of the Big Lunch which is based on a belief that the world can be a better place through people working together, with nature, optimism and common sense. The Volunteer Centre endorses that belief and witnesses the theory to practice through the volunteers every day.

Limavady Volunteer Centre has over 800 currently registered volunteers working together for the good of the community, working with nature, optimism and common sense. Mary McNickle, manager said she has almost stopped being surprised, almost come to expect the optimism and common sense displayed by volunteers. She said that she sees first hand the unlimited energy that is applied in helping others and the very practical way in which volunteers get involved. Volunteers’ engagement with nature was also very evident last week when they dug and sowed in the sweltering heat on a new allotment initiative. There was communion with nature and optimism galore but considering the heat some might question whether their endeavours were sensible! Sensible or not great work was completed with enthusiasm as were the 200,000 plus hours that were completed by volunteers throughout the year.

All these hours added to the work of community groups, playgroups, schools, clubs for older people, disabled people, young people, sport clubs, animals, recycling and charity shops and contributed an ‘in kind’ investment of around £2m to the Borough.

Damien Corr manager of LCDI referred to the organisation’s 25th birthday this year and mentioned the many successful projects which he said would not exist were it not for volunteers. ‘Volunteering is synonymous with community development’, he said, ‘and any moves to centralise services away from local areas where needs are identified and acted upon by local people, would be disastrous for volunteering and local communities’.

Sean McGlinchey, mayor of Limavady, added his praise and support to the work of the volunteers and offered his personal message of thanks on behalf of Limavady Borough Council.

Catherine Farrimond, Community Development Officer with Limavady Borough Council said that once again she was pleased to be involved in an event that acknowledges volunteers. She said that she is completely in awe of the contribution that volunteers make and is delighted that Council was able to support the Volunteer Centre with this event.

Volunteering offers benefits to everyone and anyone wishing to get involved is always welcome. We offer a personal service where your needs are matched carefully with the needs of an organisation and you get whatever support you need to volunteer. Get in touch with the Volunteer Centre if you would like to offer your services or if you would like to become a placement organisation. Telephone 02877765438, email [email protected] or visit our website www.limavadyvb.com

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