Keady young people win at awards
Thursday, 30 October 2008
Young People category of the Calor Village of the Year Awards
KEADY has been named 'Young People' category winner at the recent Calor Village of the Year ® awards ceremony.
The village beat stiff competition from 16 other villages across Northern Ireland to win the coveted title and a cash prize of £1,000.
The competition, which ran in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Rural Development Council (RDC), was aimed at celebrating vibrant, enterprising and caring communities that make the most of local opportunities.
Speaking about the venture, Steve Cooke, CEO, Calor said: "We were overwhelmed at the number of new communities which applied and the quality of entries received, proving once more that Northern Ireland is home to many vibrant villages. I would like to congratulate everyone who took part."
The 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.
“With an initial aim of targeting detached youth in the area this village has gone from strength to strength in supporting its young people," he said.
“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," he continued.
“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 Mr McDonald.
