Lisburn’s volunteers and carers recognised

Lisburn’s outstanding volunteers and carers were recognised at Friday night’s Ulster Star People of the Year Awards 2015.
Alan Dade, centre, receives his Carer of the Year award from Karen Fitzmaurice, events manager at Johnston Press, and sponsor Richard Craig, region officer at Lisburn In Focus RNIB. US1540-526cd  Picture: Cliff DonaldsonAlan Dade, centre, receives his Carer of the Year award from Karen Fitzmaurice, events manager at Johnston Press, and sponsor Richard Craig, region officer at Lisburn In Focus RNIB. US1540-526cd  Picture: Cliff Donaldson
Alan Dade, centre, receives his Carer of the Year award from Karen Fitzmaurice, events manager at Johnston Press, and sponsor Richard Craig, region officer at Lisburn In Focus RNIB. US1540-526cd Picture: Cliff Donaldson

Taking the top honours were Michael Fegan; Volunteer of the Year as Voted for by Readers of the Ulster Star, and Alan Dade; Carer of the Year.

The past year has been a difficult one for the Fegan and Armstrong families.

Michael Fegan is the youngest of ten and always looked up to his older brother and sister, Martin and Margaret.

When they were both diagnosed with cancer, Michael struggled to come to terms with it.

But instead of dwelling on the negative he motivated and inspired the family to fundraise.

They never thought they would raise a fraction of the £16,000 they did for Macmillan and Friends of Cancer but it brought the family together, gave them a focus in the darkest days and provided a fitting tribute to Martin and Margaret

Carer of the Year Alan Dade, left his full time work over 15 years ago to care full time for his late wife Ruth Dade.

Ruth passed away 10 weeks ago from MS, she was 62.

Alan did everything for his wife, going over and beyond what a husband should do, even up until the day Ruth passed away, they both told each other every day how much they loved each other.

Alan never moaned about having to put his life on hold to look after his wife, doing everything from looking after their house, to taking Ruth out to where ever she requested.

He had her care down to a very fine art, knowing everything she liked and disliked.

An ex-Royal Marine Commando, Alan’s family are all very proud of him and would all be lost without him.

Meanwhile, Philip Deanwas the winner of the Community Development Person of the Year award.

Philip has volunteered in community development since 1993 and as Chair of Lisburn People’s Support Project he has developed relationships across the political & religious divide.

He is a current member of Lisburn Castlereagh PCSP, and is a past Vice Chair.

Philip also volunteers on The Welcome BME Project and International Children’s Day has seen over 2000 people attend a celebration in Lisburn over the past two years, with Philip’s work helping to make this happen.

He is a founding Director of The Resurgam Trust which he now chairs, also representing Resurgam’s nine social enterprises in the Community Relations Council NI.

Philip works tirelessly for community regeneration and there are many positive examples of his influence in Lisburn and Castlereagh.

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