Greenlight Gateway volunteers recognised by The Queen with prestigious Award

The prestigious National Honour recognises outstanding contributions made to local communities by groups voluntarily devoting their time for the benefit of others. It sets the national benchmark for excellence in volunteering, with the work of those awarded being judged of the highest standard.

Greenlight Gateway has received the Award for its innovative social enterprise with and for young adults with learning disabilities, with a philosophy of looking at people's ability and not their disability.

Winners of this year's Award were selected from 341 groups nominated by members of the public who have been helped personally or witnessed the benefits of a group's work in their community.

Greenlight Gateway will receive a certificate signed by the Queen and an exclusive commemorative crystal, presented by Her Majesty's representative in County Antrim, Mrs Joan Christie, OBE at a special ceremony. The group has also received an invitation for representatives to attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in the summer.

Speaking of their success, Ann McIlroy, one of the founders and the current manager of Greenlight Gateway said: "We are absolutely delighted to have received this prestigious award. We are so grateful to Councillor Willie Graham for nominating us. It is hard to believe that only five years ago a small group of young adults began with a big dream and just two can crushers and a few clothes banks as we sought to recycle and provide something different to traditional day care opportunities.

On days like this we are all so grateful and humbled to receive this award, given not just to one individual but recognising everyone in Greenlight Gateway, our young people, adults, volunteers, partners and friends. This gives us so much encouragement for now and the future".

The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service Main Award Committee Chair and former broadcast journalist Martyn Lewis CBE said:

"Outstanding volunteer groups across the UK all too often go without recognition for the truly amazing work they do, despite the vital part they play in helping bind our communities together. It's a great pleasure to celebrate the efforts of Greenlight Gateway with The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service and help raise awareness of all they do for the benefit of others."

For details of all this year's Award winners and information on how to nominate a group, visit www.direct.gov.uk/thequeensawardforvoluntaryservice, where a nomination form can be downloaded.