Inspirational individuals and teams from across the emergency services have been celebrated for their incredible impact at the first Northern Ireland Blue Light Awards.
Organisers Connect Through Service, a group that supports post-service careers, led the ceremony at Holywood’s Culloden Estate and Spa, attended by more than 300 guests.
Winners included Dr Neil Powell, of Search & Rescue Dogs Association Ireland North (SARDA), who took the Outstanding Contribution award.
Also recognised were the Air Ambulance Northern Ireland (Emergency Service of the Year), Margaret Elliott of the Community Rescue Service (Most Influential Blue Light Woman of the Year) and Sean McCluskey, from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (Overcoming Adversity award).
Dr Powell, from Newcastle, established SARDA in 1978.
His groundbreaking work in training search and rescue dogs to locate people in challenging areas, from mountains to collapsed urban zones, has saved countless lives in critical situations around the world.
Read more
Among the guests were Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher and Chief Fire and Rescue Officer Aidan Jennings. Messages of support were shared from First Minister Michelle O’Neill, Justice Minister Naomi Long and Dame Kelly Holmes MBE.
Hosted by much-loved broadcaster Pamela Ballantine MBE, guests enjoyed an evening of celebration, with vital funds being raised for the Air Ambulance Northern Ireland.
Jason Gillard, co-founder of Connect Through Service, said: “We are incredibly proud to have hosted the first Northern Ireland Blue Light Awards. Our vision was to shine the spotlight on the remarkable people that make a difference to lives every single day, often under the most difficult circumstances, and often without public recognition. The result was a humbling display of drive, passion and courage.”
Fellow co-founder Graham Given added: “It was a truly special evening that showcased the definition of service. We plan to roll out similar awards across the UK and Ireland.”