NW volunteers recognised by Queen

Western Trust Chairman, Gerard Guckian, commenting on this prestigious award said: “This is a tremendous honour for the Western Trust volunteers.

“It is richly deserved given that so many people from all walks of life right across the Trust’s geography give to freely to improve patient and client care on a regular basis.

“We as a Trust aim to provide high quality patient and client centred care and the volunteers make a unique contribution towards that aim. Over the past 10 years the numbers of volunteers have grown as has the range of roles they undertake.

“Our volunteers serve as a wonderful connection to our community and make an extraordinary contribution to the life of the Trust. It is fantastic that their efforts have been honoured in this way.”

Western Trust Chief Executive, Elaine Way, CBE said: “I warmly congratulate all of our volunteers and pay particular tribute to Anne and Wendy for their unstinting achievement in supporting our volunteers and ultimately our patients and clients.”

The Western Trust Volunteers were recognised with the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK. This is the first time a health trust in Northern Ireland has received this prestigious award.

The Western Trust volunteers will receive the award from the Lord Lieutenant later this summer who congratulates the volunteers on the award of this honour.

Minister for Civil Society, Rob Wilson, said: “I would like to congratulate all groups who received this year’s Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, in recognition of their fantastic achievements.