Doury Road volunteers receive Queen's Award

The Group was delighted to welcome the Lord Lieutenant of Antrim Mrs Joan Christie OBE to make the presentation on Wednesday, June 15, at Ballymena Showgrounds where Mid & East Antrim’s new Mayor Audrey Wales opened the proceedings by congratulating the group on being honoured with the prestigious award.

Doury Road Development Group was founded in 2009 by residents to support, develop, improve and promote the quality of life for all residents of the estate. Over the last six years the Doury Road Development Group has worked cohesively towards community led development of the whole estate, delivering a range of support and interventions to residents

Lord Lieutenant Joan Christie said: “It is an honour to present this award to a group who have worked so hard to create a real change in such a short time”.

Accepting the Award on behalf of the group were Mr Mark Rainey and Miss Kerry Lynn.

Chairman of the Doury Road Development Group, David McGuckin gave a presentation on their background and the work they have undertaken to improve the quality of life for all the residents of Doury Road estate over the past six years.

He thanked the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, Department for Communities formerly DSD, Supporting Communities and Northern Ireland Housing Executive for funding projects and providing support over the years.

Among the guests at the event were Mervyn Storey MLA; Stephen Montgomery OBE; Walter Radar OBE, on behalf of the Queens Award for Voluntary Service; as well as local residents and volunteers, and also representatives of Mid and East Antrim Council, Department for Communities, Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Community Foundation for Northern Ireland and Supporting Communities.