 Keady named ‘Young People’ Winner at Calor Village of the Year Awards
The County Armagh village of Keady has been named ‘Young People’ category winner at the Calor Village of the Year® 2008 awards ceremony at the Killyhevlin Hotel, hosted by TV personality John Craven.
The Calor Village of the Year® for Northern Ireland competition assessed communities on five aspects of rural life – building community life, business, young people, environment and older people and each category was awarded at the event.
Commenting on the competition, judging Martin McDonald, Chief Executive, RDC said: “As judges we were overwhelmed with the very warm and heartfelt welcome we received on our visits and I would like to offer my congratulations to the self motivating, confidence building and innovative village of Keady on this Award.
“Modern society seems to place so many pressures on our young people, but the judges were encouraged by the vast range of initiatives and facilities that are on offer in these villages to support all ages and the winning village is an excellent example of a village nurturing its youth.
“With an initial aim of targeting detached youth in the area this village has gone from strength to strength in supporting its young people. The establishment of a youth forum has delivered a full and varied range of initiatives from midnight soccer tournaments, to mural projects, photographic exhibitions, abseils and Christmas extravangas - initiatives which are helping to tackle anti social behaviour in the village and offering opportunities for engagement.
“As the young people have grown in confidence and maturity they have taken responsibility for organising their own activities. The judges were impressed with their determination to fundraise over £48,000, allowing 15 young people from the area the opportunity to travel to Kenya to build classrooms at a local primary school; and a return journey involving 35 young people is now planned. We wish them every success in this latest venture,” added Martin.
>> Download as a word document
Media contact:
ASG Public Relations
Kate Thompson or Anne Dawson
Tel: 028 9080 2000
Email: kthompson@asgireland.com or adawson@asgireland.com
|
