MAYOR of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr John Boyle has congratulated the ‘tremendous achievement’ of the Rainbow Child and Family Centre in Galliagh for the runner up award and the Churchtown Community Association in Castlederg on being shortlisted at the prestigious ‘IPB Pride of Place Awards’ at a gala event held in Cork City Hall on Saturday night, November 17.
The IPB Pride of Place Awards is an all-Ireland competition which started in 2003 and celebrates community group contributions to local society and the creation of civic pride.
It focuses on local people coming together to shape, change and enjoy all that is good about their area. The competition is run by Co-operation Ireland in conjunction with local authorities north and south of the border.
The Rainbow Child and Family Centre picked up a runner up award in the ‘Health and Wellbeing City Category’ for the development of their fantastic community hub in Galliagh which provides a youth service, crèche, parenting support, 50+ club and a wide range of health and wellbeing programmes.
The Churchtown Community Association in Castlederg was shortlisted in the finals of the ‘Health and Wellbeing’ award in the ‘Holistic Category’ for outstanding work over many years in improving the quality of life for disadvantaged members of the local community.
Mayor Boyle, who attended the 16th Annual All-Ireland Pride of Place Gala Awards Ceremony, said:
“I was delighted to attend this fantastic event which promotes and celebrates the best in community development and recognises the selfless efforts of so many people who are making their areas better places to live, work and socialise.
“This was a special evening that recognised community endeavour – most of which is done in a voluntary capacity with no expectation of reward.
“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate everyone who participated in this year’s competition – but especially the tremendous achievement of the Rainbow Child and Family Centre and the Churchtown Community Association from our own City and District.
“Indeed, both community groups have done so much to increase people’s pride in where they live – which is in turn helping to build more vibrant communities.
“Council nominated the Rainbow Child and Family Centre and the Churchtown Community Association as they epitomise the amazing sense of community spirit that exists across our City & District and are excellent examples of local groups committed to creating positive civic change in their respective communities.
“Both groups should be very proud of themselves today – as this wonderful recognition is testament to the hard work and dedication of all involved in improving their community and instilling a fantastic sense of civic pride in their local area!”
