William Keown Trust hosts awards ceremony

10 July 2019

THE Dundrum-based William Keown Trust reached a milestone recently when they celebrated the 40th anniversary of their personal achievement awards.

The awards ceremony is always a special day in the life of the Trust and the recipients.

As with recent years, the ceremony was held at the Lagan Valley Island Conference Centre in Lisburn.

Eighteen carers, 19 children and four adults were recognised and two special awards were also presented.

Among them were Josie Byrne, from Downpatrick, and young Chloe Rooney, also from Downpatrick.

Other winners included Mr and Mrs Gillespie and their son, Myles, also from Downpatrick, who were unable to be present on the day.

The chairman to the Trust, Philip Beattie, welcomed all to the ceremony and made reference to the late Bill Keown, the founder of the Trust, who he described as a great inspiration to all he met.

The Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh, Cllr Alan Givan, described Mr Keown as an extraordinary person with a passion to inspire those who because of their disability had to view life from a different perspective.

Robert Barfoot, a director to the Trust, read the citation for each award winner and the awards were presented by Trevor Taylor, deputy president to the Trust.

Adrian Blythe, also a director of the Trust, gave a very comprehensive vote of thanks, after which all present enjoyed a finger buffet.

A spokesman for the William Keown Trust said: “It definitely was a day of celebrations and it is hoped to do it all again in December when we hold our Prestige Access Awards ceremony. These awards will be celebrating their 30th anniversary.

Applications are now open for the Prestige Access Awards. To find out about how to make an application visit the Trust’s website.

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