Council Hosts Recognition Event for Summer Scheme Volunteers
Ards and North Down Borough Council has recognised the valuable contribution that volunteers made to the Council-led summer schemes over the past two years by holding a celebratory volunteer recognition event in Clandeboye Estate.
The schemes were delivered in partnership with local clubs and community centres and around 60 people gave up their free time to assist, equating to around £40,000 worth of volunteer time.
The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Alderman Bill Keery, said:
“On behalf of the Council, I want to say ‘thank you’ to all of the volunteers who so willingly gave up their free time. They helped to provide entertainment and joy to hundreds of children across the borough, ensuring that the 2018 and 2019 summer schemes were a huge success.”
In 2019, nine different summer schemes were hosted across different venues in Ballygowan, Bangor, Holywood and Portavogie while volunteers from Kilcooley Women’s Centre, Breezemount Community Association, Millisle Youth Forum and Ballyphilip Youth Club (Portaferry) ensured it was a success.
They gave more than 500 children, aged between 5 and 11, the opportunity to take part in forest walks and bug hunts, cookery, beach walks, dancing, arts and crafts plus lots of games such as street hockey and bowling.
The Mayor added: “It was great to see so many happy, smiling children at the schemes and the Council really appreciates the work that each and every volunteer has put into their roles. This recognition event was our way of saying thank you to all of them."