Welcome to the Rotary Club of Ballymoney.
Rotary is a worldwide organization of more than 1.2 million business, professional, and community leaders.
There are over 32,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Clubs are nonpolitical, nonreligious, and open to all cultures, races, and creeds.
There are some 58,000 Rotarians in Great Britain and Ireland in 1,845 clubs.
Rotary’s main objective is service — in the community, in the workplace, and throughout the world.
David Simpson
Club President
Ballymoney is a market town with approximately 9000 inhabitants, situated near the breathtaking Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland. It has the highest life expectancy of any area in Northern Ireland.
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On 11th May 2022 Ballymoney Rotary club had a well attended evening meeting, including an excellent dinner, at the Old School House in Ballymoney. The speaker was Andy Brooking a senior producer/director and filmmaker who delivered a fascinating presentation regarding his career which included making prime time programmes for BBC (including Coast) and Channel 4 and making highly creative films (e.g. Titanic:A Tale of Two Journeys featured on The History Channel).
Andy holds the audience spellbound
Club President Gordon Robinson with Andy Brooking
A delicious dessert to round off an excellent dinner
Close to 100 people enjoyed our fundraising dinner on Wednesday May 25 at the Royal Court Hotel, Portrush. The guest speaker was BBC NI sports presenter Stephen Watson. Stephen shared interesting and amusing stories and personal experiences. He has twice had kidney transplants and is Patron of the NI Children’s Kidney Fund.
Charity Supper with Stephen Watson
Gordon Robinson, President of Ballymoney Rotary Club, and Past President Jimmy Dunlop
have just completed a fundraising walk which involved walking some distance in each
of the six counties in Northern Ireland. Known as the Fatlad Walkabout, (referencing
the initials of each of the counties and not the physical condition of the participants!),
the sponsored walk certainly did burn off lots of calories. The routes followed were
the wooden walkway at Cuilcagh Mountain, Fermanagh, also known as the Stairway to
Heaven, the Lagan Towpath from Stranmillis to Lisburn, Gortin Glen to Mullaghcarn
Hill in Tyrone, around the bridges in Derry/Londonderry, from Portadown to Poyntzpass
in Armagh and along the Coastal Path from Holywood to Bangor in Co. Down -
50% of funds raised from the walk will be going to the NI Children’s Kidney Fund and 50% to local charities.
Fermanagh
Armagh
Tyrone
L’derry
Antrim
Down
ROTARY CLUB OF BALLYMONEY
OUTGOING PRESIDENT’S REFLECTIONS
ON THE YEAR TO 30 JUNE 2022
At the Presidential Handover meeting held in the Old Schoolhouse on 29th June outgoing President Gordon Robinson was in reflective mood as he addressed the members one last time.
“The Rotary theme for my year in office was “Serve to Change Lives”, so with that in mind I have been reflecting on the club activities over the last year to consider if we have done so locally, nationally and internationally.
Locally
1. Closing off the John Boy Project with a special computer which has enabled him to communicate with people. John has lost the ability to see and hear and now his life has been opened up again.
2. Black Santa appeal headed by Alistair Coyle but supported in the background by Rotary raised over £10,000 for 5 local charities all working to improve peoples’ lives.
3. Just One Life event attended by approx. 300 teenagers from our three secondary schools encouraging responsible driving
4. Tree planted in memory of all those whose lives have been impacted negatively by COVID.
5. Youth Leadership competition run in our secondary schools.
6. Partnering with North Coast Eco Warriors and serving the local community of the Newbridge Road by regular litter picking to keep the roadsides clear.
7. Distribution of monies raised to local charities changing lives:
Robinson Hospital Palliative Care Unit
St Vincent de Paul
Wave Trauma
Samaritans
The Quiet Garden Project providing a place of peace for the whole community
Salvation Army
Christians Against Poverty changing peoples’ lives by helping them work their way out of debt and poverty
Nationally
The Childrens Kidney Fund NI with monies raised by hosting an evening with Stephen Watson (BBC Sports Correspondent) in The Royal Court Hotel
British Heart Foundation collection at Tesco’s Ballymoney
Buxton Mountain Rescue -
Film and TV Charity, helping to keep the people behind the cameras in work, so we could enjoy those programmes we love to watch such as Coast.
Internationally
Providing funds for the Ukraine Appeal, Shelterbox and Aquabox emergency response to earthquake and flooding in Afghanistan. Funding for Schools in Africa, giving children a future and, our Lendwithcare project, which has helped thousands of people in Africa through working with enterprising entrepreneurs and is ongoing.
Foundation is Rotary International’s own charity which we support and in return get grants to enable us help others in our community.
We are a small club of about 20 active members but in the last year in addition to the Black Santa Money we have paid out £15,000 to the above network of charities with the lion’s share staying in our own community.
So, have we changed lives? Yes, I think so and I am immensely proud of the club members and what we have achieved this past year.
And now to the future and our new President Trevor Patton who has taken up the baton.
The theme this year is Imagine. Just imagine what more members could achieve in our
local community. We are a fabulous fun-
Outgoing president Gordon Robiinson congratulates incoming President Trevor Patton at the Rotary handover meeting on 29th June 2022
JC Clapsaddle and Jack McGuire of San Antonio, Texas Rotary Club, along with Past President Gordon Robinson present an award to Sonia Tammen of WAVE at a recent event in Ballycastle Golf Club. The WAVE Trauma Centre has provided support to those bereaved, injured and traumatised as a result of the Northern Ireland Troubles, dealing with the legacy of our past and providing a safe haven for many still living with those scars.
DONATION FROM BALLYMONEY ROTARY CLUB TO THE EVERGREEN CLUB
Ballymoney Rotary Club welcomed representatives of Ballymoney Evergreen Club to their meeting on October 5th, 2022. A donation of £3,000 from Rotary International Foundation and Ballymoney Rotary Club was presented to Isobel Dunlop and Isobel Fleming, leading committee members of Ballymoney Evergreen Club.
Marie Louise McCleary, from Ballymoney Community Resource Centre (BCRC), reported on the major project in progress to renovate and revitalise The Social Centre, Edward Street, Ballymoney. Marie Louise has provided invaluable support to the Evergreen Club, assisting in drawing up a business plan and helping to generate funding and grants to complete the estimated target of over £288,000 to provide a fully renovated Edward Street Social Centre.
Ballymoney Evergreen Club was formed in 1956 and is Northern Ireland’s longest serving senior citizens club. The Social Centre Hall in Edward Street was built in 1965 with funds raised by the members and was an important community resource hosting tea dances, charity fundraisers, bingo, important birthdays, health therapies and many other social gatherings. In June 2019, the Evergreen Club was the recipient of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in recognition of its charity work and dedication to the senior and disabled members of Ballymoney and local area.
In 1983, Ballymoney Borough Council became responsible for upkeep of the Social Centre. Unfortunately the building was closed in 2018 by the local council and since then had fallen into further disrepair and vandalised damage. In August 2021, the Centre was then returned to full ownership of the Ballymoney Evergreen Club who appointed Trustees and a Committee to undertake the renovation project.
Isobel Dunlop and Isobel Fleming reported that the Evergreen Club now has over 100 members attending from Ballymoney, Coleraine, Garvagh, Ballycastle and the Causeway area. Presently over 80 members per week meet in the British Legion Hall and enjoy a variety of activities. Funding of initial target of £110,000 for Phase 1 of the refurbishment project has almost been met and will allow important work to secure and repair the building. The Social Centre can then be used for Evergreen Club meetings and also help to generate funds from other community groups or functions who wish to make use of the Social Centre facilities.
From left: Isobel Dunlop (Evergreen Club), Isobel Fleming (Evergreen Club), John Flynn (Ballymoney Rotary Club)
Ballymoney Evergreen Club, Social Centre, Edward Street when in previous use
ROTARY GUEST SPEAKER 26TH OCTOBER 2022
DR SCOTT BROWN
Known locally for his work as a GP in Mountsandel practice for thirty years, Dr. Scott Brown was appointed Professor at the University of Ulster to set up a graduate entry medical school at Magee Campus and which opened in September 2021.
He is Vice Chairman of the Royal College of GP’s London for the last 3 years and Chair of the Northern Ireland Royal College of GP’s Council for 5 years. Dr. Brown is the longest serving Northern Ireland representative on London Royal College of GP’s Council (21 Years) and was awarded the Royal College of GP’s, Foundation Medal for Services to medical education in the UK and Africa.
Scott told the fascinating story of how, 30 years as a local GP, he ended up in Africa at University in Uganda and working with Fields of Life.
Find out more about Fields of Life at https://www.fieldsoflife.org/
The charity believes that if every young person is educated, skilled, fed, watered and safe, we can see a new generation, inspired by faith, hope and love, transforming their communities.
ROTARY CLUB OF BALLYMONEY -
AWARDED TO DR. DAVID McKEOWN
This prestigious award is made annually in memory of our founding President, Jack Pinkerton, esteemed father of our own Past President John Pinkerton. The award recognises the outstanding contribution made by an individual or group to the community of Ballymoney and district.
There is no doubt that this year’s winner has fully exemplified the Rotary motto ‘Service above Self’ in his profession life, for many charities and for Ballymoney Rotary Club over a long number of years.
A resident of Stewartstown, Co Tyrone, he attended Dungannon Royal School before training to become a Veterinary Surgeon at Glasgow University, arguably one of the best Veterinary Schools in the UK, before moving back to N. Ireland and starting to work in a veterinary practice with Harold Moore in Dervock. He would subsequently form a partnership with Liam Kearney at Knockanboy Veterinary Clinic, Dervock.
In his professional life, he would become well respected for his high standards of work, modernising both the practices of large and small animal care. During his working life he became acutely aware of the stresses and difficulties facing many, often isolated farmers and colleague veterinary surgeons in modern farming and veterinary practice.
After stepping down from veterinary practice, he worked for several years as a Director
of Veterinary Defence Union (VDU) during which time he counselled many vets who were
in financial, legal or health difficulties and trained many vets in preventative
practice to avoid professional legal or health problems. Indeed, the British Veterinary
Association has recently acknowledged this by presenting David with the Chiron Award.
This Award acknowledges lifetime achievements in veterinary science or outstanding
services to the profession and is judged as being of a standard that commands international
or inter-
On retirement from the VDU and not willing to fully retire, David became a Volunteer Counsellor with Samaritans based in Coleraine. In the past few years he has become the local Director, taking on responsibility for management, recruitment, training and fund raising for Samaritans in Causeway. He would probably not admit to the hours he works as a volunteer in this role, but there is no doubt that he has put Samaritans, Causeway, into a very healthy condition structurally and has helped to train and maintain a very committed and efficient team of volunteers. As Samaritans require to be fully funded from public funds, he has led from the front in fund raising to meet the required targets.
David has a long history of fundraising. A keen cyclist, many of his fundraising
events have involved cycling. Leading a Ballymoney Rotary Team to participate in
the Maracycle from Belfast to Dublin return in 1987, he helped raise about £8K towards
Polio Plus and NI Hospice and in 1992 a Rotary cycle event from Cork to Causeway
raised a similar amount towards funding a CT Scanner at Causeway Hospital. Soup Sunday
in September 1990, an event instigated and organised by David, was attended by around
1,000 people, the profits all going to charities. For 7 years with his son Brian,
he participated in the Prudential Ride 100-
A Past President of Ballymoney Rotary Club in 1990, David has served on many club committees, led or participated in many Projects, and has always been the life and soul of social events. David was widely respected at Rotary District level to help Ballymoney Club win several District Awards in the past. Latterly he was heavily involved in leading and organising the Dragonboats charity events.
The members of Ballymoney Rotary Club unanimously proposed David McKeown for the annual Jack Pinkerton Endeavour Award. His service to profession, charity fundraising, Rotary and in particular Samaritans has been exemplary, and it was felt that he greatly deserved the recognition of this award.
Dr. David McKeown, right, receives his award from Past-
Ballymoney Rotary Club is pleased to congratulate Hannah Scott, from Dalriada School Ballymoney, on being the 2022 winner for Ballymoney schools Rotary Ireland Youth Leadership Competition. This prestigious competition is one of Rotary Ireland’s longest running youth projects and rewards young people with clear leadership potential.
Hannah has gone on to be selected as one of 4 winners from the Rotary Ireland Zone
covering the northern part of N Ireland following a second interview stage held at
the Lodge Hotel Coleraine on Wednesday 23rd November 2022. Her prize includes an
all-
Hannah participated in 2 stages of interviews with topics including her personal achievements, experience of leadership, knowledge of Rotary International, European Union and current Environmental issues.
Ballymoney Rotary Club President Trevor Patton presenting certificate and prize for winning the Ballymoney Schools final to Hannah at Dalriada School. Included from left are Head Teacher Tom Skelton, Senior Teacher Anne Williamson, Hannah Scott, President of Ballymoney Rotary Club Trevor Patton, John Flynn Youth Convenor and President of Ballymoney Inner Wheel Sharon Flynn.
Hannah Scott (first right) and 3 other Zone winners receiving congratulations from Joan Breen (second right), President of Coleraine Rotary Club following the Zone final held at the Lodge Hotel, Coleraine.
Annual Charity Breakfast -
Just One Life
Ballymoney Rotary Club -
Hosted on Wednesday afternoon 29 March 2023 by Dalriada School, approximately 250 Year 12 pupils from Dalriada, Our Lady of Lourdes and Ballymoney High Schools joined together to see what exactly can happen when a young driver takes their attention off the road.
During an action-
Following a welcome by Dalriada Headmaster Tom Skelton and Mayor Ivor Wallace, a minute’s silence was held to remember the 55 victims of accidents on our roads during 2022. 55 pairs of empty shoes lined the stage to represent each one of the people killed.
The pupils then watched a short video where Police Inspector John Miller told them about what happens when a young driver is involved in a serious accident. After that they all moved outside into the car park to be met by the scene of a serious accident!
In a live Road Traffic Collision re-
The pupils were kept informed throughout the rescue process by officer Stuart Crutchey
of the PSNI and David Fletcher of the Fire Brigade as members of the fire crew began
cutting through the roof of the car to rescue those inside. They also were able to
watch the young driver having his mobile phone confiscated -
The sound of the cutters crunching through the car, while other members of the team shielded those still trapped inside from that work, was very shocking. It showed just how serious and dangerous a situation like this continues to be to those involved, even after the collision itself.
From the crash scene, the pupils moved back inside. Dr Ian Erskine -
Following his talk, Dr Erskine joined a member of the PSNI team and a member the Fire Service on stage for a Question and Answer session with the audience. This again had a powerful emotional impact, as each member described the effect that particular incidents had had on them personally.
Ballymoney Rotary Club would like to express their sincere gratitude to the huge team of people involved in bringing this Road Safety initiative together, without whom it would not be possible:
The PSNI, the Fire Brigade and the Ambulance Service, who all give up their time and considerable resources, both in planning the event and on the day itself, to make the event as realistic as possible.
The Heads and Staff of the three schools, who support this initiative with great enthusiasm and throw the full weight of their own resources behind it and the pupils who took part in the crash scene.
Causeway Coast and Glens Council, who provide invaluable support including the provision of vehicles for the crash scene and transport of pupils to the event and sound equipment so that pupils can hear what is going on over the sounds of the cutting and other rescue activities!.
On Wednesday March 8th Ballymoney Rotary Club held their Annual Charity Breakfast in the Parish Centre in Ballymoney. President Trevor’s favoured charity this year was Samaritans and the Coleraine & District branch was to be the beneficiary of the breakfast proceeds. A phenomenal crowd passed through the Parish Centre that morning. The quality of breakfast was outstanding and the net result was a superb boost to Coleraine branch funds of £3,000.
Ballymoney Rotary Club’s mantra is ‘Service above Self’ and whilst Samaritans benefited hugely this year, the Club’s reach exerts a positive impact on so many worthy causes at home and abroad with another recent triumph being the delivery of Shelter Box tents to Turkey in the aftermath of the recent earthquake.
David McKeown thanked the Rotary Club for their loyal support of Coleraine & District Samaritans over recent years; support which really made a difference during the dark days of the COVID pandemic. He praised the club for its initiative, energy and commitment and told the meeting that in Ireland (north & south) a Samaritan responds to 1,500 contacts every day – 24/7 every day of the year. That’s one every minute.
Samaritan volunteers give 100,000 hours of their time, voluntarily and last year dealt with way over 500,000 callers. Over the UK & Ireland as a whole there are 20,000 Samaritan volunteers who donate 1 million hours to listening to people who are distressed for whatever reason.
David went on to say that Samaritans depend on the generosity of the public to enable it to deliver its service with 8 branches in N. Ireland. It is humbling to see, in the midst of so many worthy causes, the amazing generosity which our local community across the Causeway Coast area extended towards the Samaritan service.
President Trevor Patton presents a cheque for £3,000 to Coleraine & District Samaritans.
Rotarians & Samaritans pictured L-
Presentation of cheques to local charities
Trevor Patton, President of Ballymoney Rotary Club, hands over charity donations to local charities St. Vincent de Paul Society, CAP, Salvation Army, Wave and Robinson Hospital Palliative Care Fund. During the past the club has raised funds with various events, providing funding for international, national and local charities.
President Trevor Patton with St. Vincent de Paul Society representatives Margaret Gilmore and Noel Burns
President Trevor Patton with CAP representative Gordon Robinson
President Trevor Patton with Salvation Army representative Joan Archibald and Rotarian David Simpson
President Trevor Patton with WAVE representative Johann Coyle and Rotarian David Simpson
President Trevor Patton with Robinson Hospital Palliative Care Fund representative Margaret Allison
ROTARY CLUB OF BALLYMONEY -
JACK PINKERTON ENDEAVOUR AWARD 2023
Simon Osborne receives the Jack Pinkerton Endeavour award from Trevor Patton, President of Ballymoney Rotary Club, right, watched by Simon’s father Tony Osborne.
The prestigious Jack Pinkerton Endeavour Award is made annually in memory of our founding President, Jack Pinkerton, esteemed father of our own Past President John Pinkerton. The award recognises the outstanding contribution made by an individual or group to the community of Ballymoney and district.
Following a serious accident on his motorcycle in January 2019, Simon Osborne required the assistance of the Northern Ireland Air Ambulance. He credits the Air Ambulance with saving his life and indeed his injuries were so severe he was very lucky to survive. In return, assisted by his father Tony, mother Sharon, family, friends and members of the local community, Simon has organised a large number of fundraising events, with the amount raised by the Simon Osborne NI Air Ambulance Appeal now approaching an amazing 250,000.
On Sunday July 16 Ballymoney Rotary Club members and their friends and families enjoyed a barbeque in a marquee in the grounds of Rotarian John Borland. John very generously provided the marquee, catering and other facilities including a bouncy castle for the children. The Dalriada Folk Group provided music and the District Governor of Rotary Ireland Kenny Fisher attended, together with his wife Betty. Assistant District Governor Michael Fleming and his wife Eithne were also in attendance for what was a very enjoyable afternoon with all donations received going to Rotary charities.
After a busy day, John Borland finally gets a chance to relax with friends
Ballymoney Rotary President David Simpson receives a banner from District Governor Kenny Fisher with Assistant District Governor Michael Fleming looking on.
Recently the members of Ballymoney Rotary Club had a very enjoyable breakfast at the CAN (Compass Advocacy Network) facilities at Lislagan Farm, outside Ballymoney. After an informative and inspiring talk about the charity’s many different initiatives and its future plans, the members were given a tour of the facilities.
Trevor Patton, Past President of Ballymoney Rotary Club, had been able to secure funding from the Rotary Foundation and this was boosted by the Club. This enabled current President David Simpson to present Janet Schofield, CEO of the charity CAN, with a cheque for £2,000.
David commented that the charity was doing excellent work, in so many different ways, for those with learning disabilities, enhancing lives, creating change and providing services and social enterprise initiatives. He was in admiration of the way they provided much needed support for parents and siblings of those with learning disabilities, also providing support for health issues for the learning disabled. He wished the charity well with their future plans for the Lislagan Farm project.
Cheque presentation to CAN (Compass Advocacy Network)
David Simpson. President of Ballymoney Rotary Club, presents Janet Schofield, CEO of the charity CAN, with a cheque for £2,000.
Rotary Youth Leadership Competition
On Tuesday 28th November Ballymoney Rotary Club hosted the Zone Final of the Rotary
Youth Leadership Competition at the Royal Court Hotel, Portrush. Students from schools
as far apart as Ballycastle, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Carrickfergus, Coleraine, Larne
and Limavady had competed to represent their local area and at the Zone final and
four students were successful in earning an all-
The competition, which is one of Rotary Ireland’s longest running youth projects,
rewards young people with clear leadership potential based on their extra-
The winning candidates were Lauren Bond from Dalriada School, Ballymoney, Grainne McAuley from St. Louis Grammar School, Ballymena, Lauren McKeown from Larne Grammar School and Sinead O’Reilly from Loreto College, Coleraine. The judging panel for the zone final comprised retired school inspector Brian Spears, Dr. Hazel Siberry and retired school principal Alan Brown.
Commenting on their behalf Mr Spiers stated that the standard of the competitors was extremely high and very inspiring.
Rotary Club of Ballymoney President David Simpson thanked all those who had made the event a success and said that he was extremely grateful to the main organiser of the event, Past President Trevor Patton. He assured the winners that they were in for an inspiring trip that they would never forget.
Successful candidate Lauren Bond with David Simpson, President Ballymoney Rotary Club
Winning candidates Lauren Bond -
The seven worthy finalists together with the independent Judges Brian Spiers, Alan Brown & Dr. Hazel Siberry
Ballymoney heat of the Rotary Youth Leadership Competition.
Eva Beveridge, school winner for Ballymoney High School.
Ella Sharpe and Sarah Carson also took part.
Trevor Patton, Youth Leadership Competition co-
The Rotary Club of Ballymoney recently donated £500 to Helen Logan from Stranocum to help fund the specially fitted sports wheelchair that she needs to train with the Commonwealth Game 3x3 Wheelchair Basketball team. This will be the first time that the Commonwealth Games has female competitors in the sport.
Helen, who was born with Spina Bifida, leads a busy life as a medical secretary. Two years ago, she found that she needed to use a wheelchair on a permanent basis and although initially this seemed a major setback she has made the most of things and joined the Forge Gym in Ballymoney to help build the strength in her arms. Her coach at the Forge Gym, Grace Boyd, encouraged Helen to apply to join the Commonwealth Games Wheelchair Basketball team. However, the necessary specially adapted wheelchair costs in the region of £5,000.
Grace set up a Go Fund Me page for Helen and the generous people of the area very quickly donated a large proportion of the funds necessary. The £500 donation by the Rotary Club of Ballymoney brings Helen even closer to her target but she has a bit to go yet and would appreciate any donations via her GoFundMe page. (At www.gofundme.com search for Helen Logan and the link to ‘Help Helen (Basher) Buy a Sport Wheelchair should appear).
Helen is also undergoing trials for the Northern Ireland Basketball team which has separate rules from the Commonwealth Games team. She plays wheelchair basketball for the Causeway Giants, one of seven wheelchair basketball teams in Northern Ireland. Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council have awarded Helen Elite Athlete Status. She appreciates the help that Disability Sport NI has given her and cannot speak highly enough of the coaching, support and encouragement given to her by Grace Boyd. Helen will be eternally grateful to the financial support she has received from so many local donors.
David Simpson, President of Ballymoney Rotary Club, said that the club had been inspired by Helen’s hard work and determination. He thanked Helen for highlighting to the club the challenges faced by wheelchair users and providing an insight into the world of wheelchair basketball, largely unknown to the public. He wished her every success and looked forward to seeing her again soon with her new sports wheelchair.
Helen Logan receives a cheque for £500 from David Simpson, President of Ballymoney Rotary Club. Looking on is Helen’s coach Grace Boyd from Forge Female Fitness.
On Wednesday 21st February the members of Ballymoney Rotary Club and their guests enjoyed a fascinating talk by Patrick Casement on Sir Roger Casement and the Casement family at the Royal Court Hotel, Portrush. During the evening Rotarian Billy O’Neill MBE was surprised when David Simpson, President of Ballymoney Rotary Club, presented him with a Paul Harris Award, the highest form of recognition that a Rotary Club can present, telling Billy that he embodied the true spirit of Rotary. This award is presented to a Rotarian or member of the community who has made an outstanding contribution to the community.
Billy has previously been a recipient of this award so on this occasion he received the prestigious Paul Harris Sapphire Award. He has been a loyal supporter of Rotary fundraising events over many years and had embarked on a huge charity fundraising effort to celebrate his 80th birthday. In the more recent past the journalist Ivan Little wrote a book ‘Against the Tide: The Billy & Lily O’Neill Story’ and Billy has very generously donated a large some of money received from sales of this interesting book to Rotary charities.
Club President David Simpson presents Billy O’Neill MBE with the Paul Harris Sapphire Award
Patrick Casement addresses a large attentive audience
Ballymoney Rotary Club Annual Charity Breakfast March 2024
Just One Life
On March 20 in Dalriada School, Ballymoney Rotary Club -
Approximately 300 Year 12 pupils from Dalriada, Our Lady of Lourdes and Ballymoney High Schools joined together to see the consequences resulting from a young driver taking their attention off the road.
Following a welcome by Dalriada vice Principal Dr Walker and Deputy Mayor Margaret-
After watching a short video where Police Inspector John Miller told them about what
happens when a young driver is involved in a serious accident, the pupils moved outside
into the car park to witness a live Road Traffic Collision re-
The pupils were kept informed throughout the rescue process by officer Stuart Crutchley
of the PSNI and Station Commander Alan Murdoch from the Northern Ireland Fire and
Rescue Service. Members of the fire crew began cut through the roof of the car to
rescue the occupants. The young driver of one of the cars had his mobile phone confiscated
-
There followed the shocking sound of fire service cutters crunching through the car, while other members of the team shielded those still trapped inside from that work. One of the victims was carefully rescued from a damaged car using a spinal board.
The pupils then returned inside from the crash scene and Dr Ian Erskine an Emergency
Response Doctor -
Following his talk, Dr Erskine joined two members of the PSNI team and a member the
Fire Service on stage for a Question-
Ballymoney Rotary Club would like to express their sincere gratitude to the huge team of people involved in bringing this Road Safety initiative together, without whom it would not be possible:
The PSNI, the Fire Brigade and Dr Ian Erskine, who all gave up their time and considerable resources, both in planning the event and on the day itself, to make the event as realistic as possible.
The Heads and staff of the three schools, who support this initiative with great enthusiasm and throw the full weight of their own resources behind it and the pupils who took part in the crash scene.
The Causeway Coast and Glens Council Policing and Community Safety Partnership, who provide invaluable support and the mayoral team. The Ballymoney Hospice Shop who loaned the 71 pairs of shoes to highlight the terrible loss of life on our roads.
Finally huge thanks are due to Trevor Patton from Ballymoney Rotary Club who coordinated the entire event.
Deputy Mayor Margaret-