New Year Honours for Larne residents

The Chief Executive of Larne Borough Council and a well-known charity fundraiser are among those to receive awards in the New Year Honours List.

Geraldine McGahey will receive an OBE for services to local government, while fundraiser Michael Campbell will receive a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to charitable fundraising.

Mrs McGahey joined Larne Borough Council in 2001 as director of building control and subsequently became director of development before taking up the Chief Executive’s role in 2006.

Reacting to her OBE, she told The Times: “I’m very surprised, shocked, humbled and deeply honoured. I’m looking forward to going over to receive the award and I will have a bit of a stampede to see who will go with me. It hasn’t registered yet.”

Charity fundraiser Michael Campbell, who has raised £500,000 for charity by hosting quizzes over the past four decades, said he was “over the moon” to receive his BEM. He told The Times: “The people I do this for and the people who contribute to it show the real spirit of Larne people and support all the quizzes, they deserve this award. I’m flattered and looking forward to receiving it and meeting the Queen.”

Related topics: