13 March 2020

Adekanmi Abayomi was recognised at the 2020 Mayor’s Community Awards by the Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Councillor Alan Givan, as an opportunity to acknowledge his selflessness and outstanding voluntary contribution to the development of the Lisburn Castlereagh area.
The Mayor’s Community Awards 2020 Gala Event took place at Lagan Valley Island on the 12 March 2020 and the Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Councillor Alan Givan, proudly awarded Adekanmi Abayomi the Runner Up of the Brian McDowell Volunteer of the Year Award for partnering with the Council to encourage diverse communities to use leisure and parks activities to promote inclusivity.
Mayor Givan said: “It is important that as a Council we publicly recognise the valuable work of volunteers, paid workers, and community-based organisations across our communities. They work selflessly to create a new, better society for the future. The dedication of these individuals and groups is the lifeblood of Lisburn Castlereagh, resulting in very successful outcomes for local residents of all ages.
“These awards deliver a strong message about the value of helping others and how it helps to strengthen the Lisburn Castlereagh area – to connect residents and communities, reinforce community spirit and create a more cohesive and inclusive society for everyone.
According to Adekanmi, it is inspiring to receive this recognition at this glamorous event because it will keep reminding me that I am on the right path, playing my part in our community.

Our Founder nets Sport NI’s Volunteer of the Year 2019

25 February 2020

Sport Northern Ireland, as the leading public body for the development of sport in Northern Ireland, used another edition of its Sport Maker Awards to pay tribute to the amazing work of Northern Ireland’s sports coaches, officials, volunteers, and clubs at a heartwarming ceremony at Titanic Belfast on Monday evening (Monday 24 February 2020).

It is an annual event where Sport Northern Ireland seeks to recognise coaches, officials, volunteers, and projects who are helping people to enjoy and benefit from the power of sport.

Left to right: George Lucas – Chair, Sport NI, Adekanmi Abayomi (Volunteer of the Year 2019 Winner), Deirdre Hargey (Minister, Dept for Communities), Antoinette McKeown (CEO, Sport NI)

Minister for Communities, Deirdre Hargey MLA, opened the night by welcoming all winners and guests, commenting: “These awards provide the opportunity to reward the vital and integral role that coaches, volunteers and officials play encouraging people to realise the power of sport. Those recognised are all exceptional people in their own right. The hours of selfless dedication, support, and encouragement they have given to their sports have made a very real difference to the athletes and players they have worked with from grassroots participants up to those performing at the highest level.”