The staff at Tiny Toons work very hard and I share this award with them

The staff at Tiny Toons work very hard and I share this award with them

10 June 2015

A BALLYHORNAN woman who is the beating heart of her isolated rural community has been presented with a prestigious volunteering award.

Patricia Curran, chairwoman of the village’s Tiny Toons community playgroup, last weekend received the Moyra Campbell lifetime achievement volunteer award at the Early Years gala dinner in Belfast.

A founder member of the Ballyhornan playgroup launched in 1992, Patricia worked along with a number of others to raise money to secure and refurbish premises to provide a dedicated play facility which was formally opened two years later.

She is also the chairwoman of the Ballyhornan and District Community Association and has worked tirelessly for the local community over the years.

But last weekend’s award — presented by Lady Moyra herself— was in recognition of her efforts to enhance early years learning in the Ballyhornan area and her long association with the playgroup stretching over two decades.

Patricia was unaware she had been nominated by the playgroup for the prestigious honour until the day of the gala dinner at the Ramada Hotel and did not think she was going to win.

When Tiny Toons opened for business there were just three children. Today the playgroup can cater for up to 30 and is open five days a week between 9am and noon, meeting a need in the local community.

A lady who works tirelessly behind the scenes, Patricia works to raise money for the playgroup and continually campaigns on its behalf.

“I had no idea I had been nominated for the award until last Friday,” revealed Patricia. “The nomination was a complete surprise and I did not think I was going to win.

“When I discovered I was the winner I was shocked, but it was a lovely surprise. The award is one I share with everyone associated with the Tony Toons playgroup and the people who have worked hard on behalf of the organisation over many, many years.

“From humble beginnings with just three children the playgroup has expanded. All the staff are extremely professional and work very hard. Tiny Toons would not still be going had it not been for the efforts of many people. That is why I share this award with many others.”

Patricia said the Ballyhornan playgroup received an excellent report from Social Services staff last year and has no doubt this was as a result of the efforts of  many people, including staff and parents.

She added: “We have high standards and that is down to the staff. Everyone is delighted the playgroup has been recognised through this award and it is something I share with many people.”

Nuala Mulholland, one of the Tiny Toons staff who nominated Mrs Curran for the award, said the honour was “very well deserved.”

She added: “Patricia has been at the heart of the playgroup for 21 years. Quite simply, if it were not for her it would not be here. She works tirelessly during her own time and we are all very grateful to her.

“We nominated her for the award because she deserves recognition for what she does not just for Tiny Toons but the wider Ballyhornan community. She puts in countless hours and what she does on behalf of others is just fantastic. We are thrilled Patricia has been recognised. She is someone who is always giving and helping others and is a very special person.”