Club ‘could not operate without volunteers’

Carrickfergus and District Senior Gateway is recognising the contributions of its volunteers this week.
Thomas Haighton, leader in charge of Carrick Gateway Club. INCT 17-066-tcThomas Haighton, leader in charge of Carrick Gateway Club. INCT 17-066-tc
Thomas Haighton, leader in charge of Carrick Gateway Club. INCT 17-066-tc

Thomas Haighton, club leader in charge, said: “Our organisation could not operate without volunteers. They are the local heroes that help us provide a vital service in the community.

“I want to publicly thank all our volunteers for their dedication and continued hard work and to recognise their contribution by marking Volunteers’ Week with a special evening to celebrate their efforts.”

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Running for over 40 years, Carrickfergus & District Senior Gateway is a leisure club for adults with a learning disability.

Volunteer Scott Johnston said: “I’ve been volunteering with Gateway for over a year now. I enjoy it so much I don’t know what I would be doing if I didn’t volunteer.

“It is only a few hours a week and I get a great feeling knowing that I am putting something back into a service which helped me when I needed it.”

With over 80 members and around 25 volunteers, Carrickfergus is one of the largest Gateway clubs in the province.

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Wendy Osborne OBE, Chief Executive, Volunteer Now, said: “I am delighted that so many organisations are taking part in this year’s Volunteers’ Week celebrations. The Week marks the positive impact volunteers make on the lives of people and communities.

“Many organisations could not deliver the services they offer without volunteers. If you feel that you could give a few hours per week we would love to have you on board.”

To find out more information, contact club leader Thomas Haighton @ [email protected] or see the Facebook page www.facebook.com /carrickgateway or www.carrickdistrictseniorgateway.org