Unsung heroes in voluntary and community groups from Northern Ireland are being honoured by Queen Elizabeth today in recognition of their outstanding contribution to their local communities.
They are among 200 groups from across Britain receiving special Queen's Golden Jubilee awards for their efforts.
Representatives of 14 of the winning groups - one from each region in Britain - are attending a presentation ceremony at Buckingham Palace, on the 50th anniversary of the Queen's coronation.
The Northern Ireland winners are:
- Broughshane and District Community Association - for improving the environment of the local community and enhancing the sense of community ownership and responsibility.
- Lack Women's Group in Enniskillen - for providing recreational classes and training for local women in the isolated rural Lack village.
- Lynn Social Club in Larne - for bring together the people of Larne and Antrim to socialise and help families integrate into the community. It also organises meals on wheels, social and recreational outings and youth groups.
- Newtownstewart Development Association - for promoting economic development in the community through tourism and employment regeneration and providing social and recreational facilities.
- St John Ambulance HQ Transport division in Belfast - for providing volunteer first aid and ambulance services for the community.
- The Samaritans Belfast branch - for providing a 24 hour service of confidential and emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress and despair.
- Voluntary Service Belfast's security team - for providing advice and practical fitting of security devices to older and vulnerable people.
- Walkway Women's Group in Belfast - for providing support and opportunities for local women to develop themselves through provision of educational, arts and environmental projects.
Announcing the winners, Home Office Minister Lord Firkin said: "This new, prestigious annual award gives well-deserved recognition to some of the unsung heroes of our communities - the hundreds of thousands of voluntary groups across the UK that play such an essential role in our daily lives."
The groups reached out and touched the lives of others, often providing them with unconditional human contact that would otherwise be missed, he said.
"We owe them an enormous debt and I am very pleased that their work is being recognised in this important way during Volunteers' Week," said Lord Firkin.
He urged local people to start thinking ahead to next year and nominate groups that are making a difference for the 2004 awards.
PA