Elizabeth is your Person To Be Proud Of

You voted in your droves for the final nominees for the prestigious title in recent weeks.

Our inbox was jam-packed with text messages registering your support for each of our five fantastic finalists and scores of postal votes made their way to the Times office.

And when the deadline closed on Wednesday and the votes were tallied, Moyarget fundraiser Elizabeth was the runaway winner.

The other four figures you voted for were Jonathan Gault, Jimmy Walker, Brian Jamison and Louise Neill.

To mark the achievement Elizabeth will be treated to a getaway at The Fullerton Arms, a ladies watch from Indigo Jewellers, a meal for two at Mollys Restaurant, a portrait, a fine art picture and a selection of toiletries courtesy of Mill Balm.

Elizabeth has been a tireless worker for the N.I. Chest, Heart and Stroke Association raising tens of thousands of pounds during her association with the charity.

She has worked closely with her fellow members of the local branch to help bring comfort and ease to those afflicted by strokes.

Elizabeth has boundless energy and in addition to her fund-raising, she is closely associated with her church, playing the organ and helping organise various events particularly for the young people in the Sunday School.

One of those who nominated Elizabeth said: “She’s always on the go and never seems to get tired. She is a brilliant organiser and would be an ideal Person To Be Proud Of winner.”

When told she had won the prestigious competition, Elizabeth told the Times she was “overwhelmed”.

She added: “I have been volunteering for a long number of years.

“My husband Norman died at a young age due to a heart condition and so it was time later I decided I wanted to get involved in some way with fund raising with Chest, Heart and Stroke, and so with the help of faithful members, we have raised a huge amount of money over the years.”

Elizabeth also gives her time to the North Coast Community Transport scheme.

“North Coast Community Transport provides a valuable service in the community and without it many people would be unable to get around,” she said.

“I have been a volunteer driver for some time and that has been very rewarding just being able to befriend and accompany people to venues.

“My church commitment has also been very special to me.

“I have been playing the organ in Ramoan Presbyterian church for a long time.

“One of my favourite events in the church calendar is Children’s Day and I really enjoy working with the boys and girls in preparation for that service.”

Despite her already hectic schedule, Elizabeth has other projects in the pipeline.

“In the past six months I have been involved in setting up a community Friendship Group which is held in our local church hall and in this case I deeply appreciate the help of other volunteers in the running of the monthly events,” she said.

“Like all other volunteer workers, we do not do set out seeking to glorify our names but rather to help others. I thank God for health and strength to enable me to take part in such actions in the community.”

She added: “Finally, I would like to thank the one who nominated me for this award, the staff of Ballymoney Times and to everyone who supported me by sending in their votes.”

Times Editor Lyle McMullan congratulated Elizabeth and all those who made the final five.

“The Person To Be Proud Of search received fantastic backing from our readers and all those who made it to the latter stages were all worthy contenders,” he said.

“This venture was designed to shine the spotlight on those in our community who give so much of their time to serve others.

“Congratulations to Elizabeth and to all those who made the final.”

Valerie Saunders, Fundraising Co-ordinator of NI Chest, Heart and Stroke said, “We are delighted that Elizabeth White is the beneficiary of the Person to Be Proud Of Award.

“Elizabeth gives selfishly of her time to help others, making a difference to the lives of local people in the Moyle area.

“At Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke we congratulate Elizabeth on her success. Elizabeth as chairperson of the Ballycastle Fundraising Support Group actively raises money enabling NICHS to fund the wide variety of local community programmes or services for people suffering from chest, heart and stroke illnesses.”

Ballymoney Mayor Ian Stevenson also extended his congratulations: “I commend the excellent voluntary work by Elizabeth White and am pleased that the service she has given to support the work of the Chest Heart & Stroke Association has been so suitably recognised by the readers of the Ballymoney and Moyle Times.”