Clinching the Rural Community Spirit Award 2020 for South Region in the Large Village Category, the hard-working community group were thrilled with the win.
Due to Covid-19 and lockdown, many local community groups have had to cease their usual social activities and quickly refocus their efforts, responding to the pandemic.
The 2020 Rural Community Awards focused on rewarding the efforts made by both groups and individuals to reach out and support residents through the crisis.
Portaferry Community Collective Ltd won the Rural Community Spirit Award due to the group having such a vast involvement with all aspects of local community life.
Margaret McGreevy, Chairperson of Portaferry Community Collective Ltd said she was delighted to accept the Rural Award from the Housing Executive on behalf of Portaferry Community Collective Ltd.
She added; “This award is a wonderful recognition of the work of the many volunteers throughout Portaferry who all do an excellent job for our community, so thank you to all of them - it is their work that has made us successful.
“A big thank you to the Housing Executive for this award and for the excellent support they have provided to us in the past year.”
“Their staff in both the Rural Unit and District Office are excellent and easy to work with and funding provided has made it possible for us to deliver innovative projects to our community.”
Throughout lockdown and the pandemic, Portaferry Community Collective Ltd has been pivotal to supporting the local community with a number of projects.
Radio broadcasts to local care/nursing homes and isolated people, a flyer with details of essential services for vulnerable people and distributing Jigsaw packs for resident are just some of the many services that the group has offered.
Owen Brady, the Housing Executive’s Ards and North Down Area Manager congratulated the local group on their achievement.
He said; “Well done to Portaferry Community Collective Ltd who have scooped this award after tirelessly helping to organise activities and working very hard for people within the local community.
“This award is testimony to the group about how much they care for the well-being of local residents and support they have offered them at a time when it has been greatly needed.
“Community groups have adapted in many ways due to the Covid-19 crisis and through our Rural Community Awards we can show our appreciation to these groups for such brilliant efforts.”
