‘Remarkable’ Newtownabbey hospice volunteer awarded Order of Mercy medal in London

Yvonne Fitzsimmons of the Northern Ireland Children's Hospice received the Order of Mercy, a prestigious medal, for her distinguished service over many years.

The awards ceremony took place at The Mansion House, in the City of London in the presence of HRH Princess Katerina of Yugoslavia and other distinguished guests.

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The Rt Hon the Lord Lingfield, president of the League of Mercy, said “Mrs Fitzsimmons is a marvellous example of someone whose longstanding and voluntary dedication to the service and welfare of others is noteworthy and remarkable and we were delighted to be able to make this well-deserved award to her.”

The League of Mercy, created in 1899 for the encouragement and recognition of voluntary work in hospitals and the community, was re-founded as a nationwide registered charity in 1999 and continues the work of the original founder, the then Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII.