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Glenravel and District Community and Residents Association scoops Housing Executive rural award

Members of Glenravel & District Community & Residents Association: (l-r) Anne Hardy, Mid and East Antrim Council, Chelsea Harwood, Braid Councillor, John Read, NIHE Good Relations Officer, Denise McLean, GDCRA, John Williams, Acting Secretary, GDCRA and Eugene Kelly, Treasurer and Coordinator of Mens-Hen shed, GDCRA, Frankie Mulhern, Coordinator of the Community Garden, GDCRA, Marian Maguire, Chairperson, GDCRA, Marie Louise McClarey, Fundraiser Officer, GDCRA and Eoin McKinney, NIHE Rural Unit.
Members of Glenravel & District Community & Residents Association: (l-r) Anne Hardy, Mid and East Antrim Council, Chelsea Harwood, Braid Councillor, John Read, NIHE Good Relations Officer, Denise McLean, GDCRA, John Williams, Acting Secretary, GDCRA and Eugene Kelly, Treasurer and Coordinator of Mens-Hen shed, GDCRA, Frankie Mulhern, Coordinator of the Community Garden, GDCRA, Marian Maguire, Chairperson, GDCRA, Marie Louise McClarey, Fundraiser Officer, GDCRA and Eoin McKinney, NIHE Rural Unit.

Glenravel & District Community & Residents Association in Co. Antrim has secured a £1,000 prize as part of this year’s Housing Executive’s Rural Community Awards.

Cohesion is at the heart of the association which brings the communities of four villages together to meet, chat, learn new skills, explore different cultures and identities through a wide range of activities.

Held this year in The Seamus Heaney Centre, Bellaghy, the annual Rural Community Awards event provides a showcase for individuals and groups undertaking outstanding volunteering work at grassroots level in rural areas across Northern Ireland, helping maintain local neighbourhoods and boosting civic pride.

Carolyn Crawford, Housing Executive Mid and East Antrim Area Manager said, “A big well done to Glenravel & District Community & Residents Association on their well-deserved award as they took top prize in our Community Spirit section.

“Outstanding cohesion work in the villages of Martinstown, Clough, Cargan and Newtowncrommelin is at the heart of all that they do.

“It is evident that this project has a significant positive impact on the mental health and well-being of everyone involved.”

Marian Maguire, Chairperson, Glenravel & District Community & Residents Association, said, “Glenravel is thrilled to win this award and accolade which recognises all the volunteers and the community of Glenravel who work tirelessly to provide essential services for all ages.  

“We thank the Housing Executive for this special recognition and award and for all the help they provide to enable services to happen.  

“Our heartfelt thanks also to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Supporting Communities, National Lottery Community Fund and to all the funders, trusts and foundations who make community cohesion possible.”

Marie-Louise McClarey, Fundraiser, Glenravel & District Community & Residents Association, said, “We are delighted that the association has won this Community Spirit award. 

“We have been supported by the Housing Executive for a long time now and they have helped us deliver many activities ranging from a youth club, money advice workshops and arts and crafts projects.

“We work with four different villages and are very much committed to promoting community cohesion by reaching people from all different backgrounds, religions, races and creeds.

“I would like to thank the Housing Executive for recognising the work that we do.”