Local girls receive top honour from Girls' Brigade

Front row: GB International President Vivienne Aitchison, GBNI Patron Lynda Bryans and GBNI President Lyn Campbell. Middle Row: Queen's Award recipients: Emily Scott 269th NI Drumreagh Presbyterian, Amy Taggart 269th NI Drumreagh Presbyterian, Lisa Rainey 273rd NI Ballymoney Reformed Presbyterian, Alexandria Hill 273rd NI Ballymoney reformed Presbyterian. Back Row: Officer Edith McCollum 269th NI Drumreagh Presbyterian, Captain Elaine Hegarty 273rd NI Ballymoney Reformed Presbyterian. inbm25-16s

Those receiving the award included Emily Scott 269th NI Drumreagh Presbyterian, Amy Taggart 269th NI Drumreagh Presbyterian, Lisa Rainey 273rd NI Ballymoney Reformed Presbyterian and Alexandria Hill 273rd NI Ballymoney reformed Presbyterian

Members were delighted that Vivienne Aitchison, President of Girls’ Brigade International, was able to attend and brought greetings from the GB Worldwide family.

She explained: “In gaining this award, you have demonstrated qualities and attitudes of which you should be truly proud. Congratulations to you all and a great big thank you, too, to the GB officers who have helped and supported you along the way helping to nurture and develop these values in your life. My prayer is that God will truly bless you as you go forward transforming and enriching others.”

Lynda Bryans, GBNI Patron presented the girls with their certificates and the guest speaker for the evening was Sonia Mawhinney, West Church Presbyterian Bangor Youth and Children’s Work Associate.

The girls work for the award over a period of two years, they were required to undertake six elements: community service over a period of six months; GB company service; submission of an in depth project assignment to a high standard; completion of two initiative tests; pass a two hour written study paper and final interview; whilst also playing an active part in life of their church.

The Queen’s Award is run to agreed international standards. Nursing homes, charity shops, home and overseas mission teams and youth organisations in NI are just some of the organisations which benefited from the voluntary work undertaken by all the girls. Projects completed included creative work involving cross stitching, crocheting, painting, quilting, knitting or photography. Nelson Mandela, Japanese Culture and Lifestyle, The Role of Women During WW1 and Human Rights and Equality were some of the topics researched.

GB offers a balanced programme for girls aged 3 - 18 of Bible teaching, physical activity, community and church service, along with many opportunities to learn new skills and take on new challenges. GB is a valued place where girls can be girls, make lifelong friends, find positive female role models, learn relevant Christian application in life, and escape the pressures of self - image, fashion, exams, relationships and other issues facing 21st Century youth.

GBNI are happy to assist any churches, who do not currently have GB, to start up a company. Churches should contact GBHQ for more information on this. There are 285 GB Companies in Northern Ireland, parents should look up the GB website at www.gbni.co.uk to find a company in their area or contact GBHQ on: development@gbni.co.uk or T: 028 9454 8054 for more information.