Ryan recognised for fantastic achievements

Ryan recognised for fantastic achievements

27 June 2018

A DUNDRUM-BASED charity dedicated to recognising the achievements of people with disabilities has hosted its annual awards.

Ten children, seven adults and 18 carers each received William Keown Trust Personal Achievement Awards at the award ceremony held in the Lagan Valley Island Conference Centre in Lisburn.

Among the prizewinners was Ryan Bogues from Drumnaconagher Road, Crossgar, who received a Certificate of Merit.

Ryan bakes every day and sells his produce to the public and donates the money he makes to his nominated charity.

Also honoured was Florence Gilmore, from Newcastle, who received a special Certificate of Merit in the Christopher McCollum Memorial Cup section.

For twelve years Florence has befriended someone with a disability.  

Margaret Mary Burch, from Newcastle, was awarded the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce Cup.

Despite her fortitude in coping with her own problems, she has raised thousands of pounds for Christian Aid and also reaches out to her neighbours and friends in Newcastle.  

Mrs Burch’s husband, Sam, a retired Methodist minister, was awarded a Certificate of Merit in the Carers’ section.

Banbridge Accordion Orchestra played a selection of tunes to welcome the guests on arrival as the Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh, Cllr Uel Mackin and special guest Dr Janet Gray MBE, the well-known disabled water ski champion, were warmly thanked for their attendance by Trust chairman Philip Beattie.

Cllr Mackin spoke of how pleased he was to welcome the William Keown Trust to the city of Lisburn. He went on to pay tribute to the work of the Trust and what it had achieved over many years by highlighting and promoting the dignity of people with disabilities.

Dr Gray presented the awards and then gave an inspiring talk on her life, telling of how she lost her sight at the age of 21. 

Through sheer determination, she regained her confidence and went on to take up skiing, becoming the world champion blind skier on three occasions. 

She related how she had to retire from the sport in 2004 after being involved in a horrific skiing accident. However, she has since found something else that challenges her and which she loves doing — serving as a councillor on Lisburn and Castlereagh Council.

The ceremony concluded with Trust director Robert Barfoot proposing a comprehensive vote of thanks, after which Mr Beattie invited all present to remain for a buffet which had been provided by the in-house catering staff of the Lagan Valley Island Centre.