Local people honoured at Leap of Faith awards

The first ever Leap of Faith Awards, hosted by UTV’s Frank Mitchell, recently took place in St Colm’s High School in Twinbrook with a gala style awards ceremony and reception.

The awards, organised the Colin Neighbourhood Partnership and supported by the Colin Early Intervention Community project, saw over 100 nominations from members of the public for those individuals and organisations that have made a positive impact in the world of parenting and care-giving.

In total six awards were presented in five categories. The Main Man Award was won by James Broderick from Poleglass, who was nominated by his grandson Frankie McFarlane for his caring responsibilities. The Main Woman Award was won by Denise McClinton, who was nominated by friend Fiona Campbell. The Foster Carer Award was won by Marion Corr of Twinbrook who was nominated by Sammy Jo Murphy (she was fostered by Marion since a young age).

The judging panel found it so difficult to select one deserving winner of the Parent Award that they chose two worthy winners, Ciara Reid from Lagmore and Deborah Maguire from Twinbrook. The final award, for Parenting Services, was won by Mary Leonard who provides courses in St Luke’s School in Twinbrook and was nominated by Principal Claire Robinson.

Speaking at the awards ceremony Frank Mitchell said: “It is a privilege and a pleasure to present the very first Leap of Faith Awards. Tonight we heard some fantastic examples of parenting and parenting support services that take place in the Colin community every day. The Colin Early Intervention Community has shown that it is important to recognise all those things that parents, carers and young people do in support of each other. All award winners here this evening now know just how highly thought of they are by members of this community.”

Kieran Drayne, Programme Manager for the Colin Early Intervention Community, spoke of the reasoning behind organising such a unique event: “We held these awards in order to recognise and celebrate good parenting and parenting support in the local community. We know that parenting and looking after children and young people can be very rewarding, though also very challenging. The examples of parenting and care giving seen here tonight are truly inspiring. Great work takes place every day in this community and it simply doesn’t get highlighted.

“This evening we heard about some fantastic examples of parenting, caring and support provided by parents and carers. The Colin community should be proud of the efforts that are being made to give children a loving and caring upbringing in order that they can reach their full potential. So it’s with great pleasure that tonight we recognise and celebrate these positive role models in our community.”

For more information about the Colin Early Intervention Community or Colin Neighbourhood Partnership visit www.newcolin.com.