Blog » Celebrating the Best in the Charity Sector

Celebrating the Best in the Charity Sector

29th May 2018

NORTHERN Ireland’s charity chiefs celebrated the very best work in their sector earlier this month.

The CO3 leadership awards showcased amazing achievements that have changed lives – including the efforts of Aidan Byrne, who has transformed the prospects of homeless people through the magic of football.

The co-founder of Street Soccer Northern Ireland picked up the Social Innovation Award at the event held at La Mon House Hotel.

Mr Byrne, who also works as Homeless Services Manager at East Belfast Mission, used football as a gateway to get vulnerable people back on their feet.

CO3 is the leadership organisation for the Third Sector and promotes innovation and best practice in charities. The sector employs 45,000 people in Northern Ireland, backed by 250,000 volunteers. Chief Executive Nora Smith said: “Many who have been through the programme have emerged with new, different and better lives: repairing relationships, finding jobs, breaking out of homelessness, entering education and in some cases becoming a football coach or referee.”

Street Soccer NI was set up for disadvantaged groups such as the homeless, people with drug and alcohol issues, asylum seekers, refugees and the longterm unemployed.

It also organises the Northern Ireland team for the Homeless World Cup – jetting a team of eight people to tournaments all over the world, every year.

David Lane of Ecclesiastical Insurance, which sponsored the awards, said: “It is hardly surprising that we meet many inspirational people through our support of these awards. Aidan is exceptional. He has taken a sport many of us love and unlocked its potential to change lives. That is an extraordinary achievement.”

Other award winners were: Trustee of the Year, Norman Carson, Chair of Action Cancer; Leading People, Colm McDaid, Chief Executive of Supporting Communities NI; Seamus O’Prey, chief executive of the Ortus Group, Social Entrepreneurial Leader; Leading for Impact, Jim McShane, Interim CEO at Ark Housing Association; Leading Organisational Change, Martin Flynn, Chief Executive of the Open College Network NI; Leading Forward on Health and Social Care Reform, Heather Monteverde Head of Services, Macmillan Cancer Support in Northern Ireland; Inspiring Leader, Gillian Creevy, Chief Executive of Cancer Fund for Children; Newcomer of the Year, Dawn Purvis, Chief Executive, Victoria Housing Estates.

There was also a lifetime achievement award for Conal McFeely, Development Executive at Creggan Enterprises in Derry/Londonderry, who has dedicated his working life to community development and peace building in his native city.

Back to Top