Local groups win three of four Queen’s Awards for whole of Northern Ireland

THREE outstanding voluntary groups from the Lisburn area are among just four groups from Northern Ireland which have been honoured as recipients of The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service - the MBE for groups of volunteers who work in their local community for the benefit of others. Dunmurry Community Association, Lisburn Community Self Build Ltd and Lisburn Voluntary Laundry Service are among 130 recipients of the prestigious award across the whole of the UK.

The groups were nominated by former Mayor, Alderman Paul Porter for their excellent work in the community.

And Mr Porter said he was delighted by the groups’ success.

“One of my themes as Mayor was to show appreciation to the many volunteers and community groups who do such great work in the Lisburn City area” he said. “I nominated five groups for the Queens Award and I am just delighted that three have been successful. I am hopeful that next year the other two groups will get the award - the highest honour a voluntary group can achieve.”

The honour recognises the outstanding contribution made by volunteers. It sets the national benchmark for excellence in volunteering, with the work of those awarded being judged to be of the highest standard.