June

The Volunteering Excellency Awards – Winners announced!

The Queen’s Students’ Union Volunteering Excellency Awards, sponsored by Reid Black Solicitors, took place on 9 June in The Great Hall, and celebrated the positive contribution our students, staff, and alumni have made to the community, both locally and internationally.

Fergal McFerran was given the at the glittering awards ceremony and gala dinner.

Fergal, 22, is the co-chair of Raise & Give (RAG), the Queen’s Students’ Union official fund-raising group. Since taking on the role, he has broadened the body’s calendar of events to include supporting causes ranging from thrift shops to the Belfast Symphony Orchestra to organising a sleep out for Simon Community NI.

Fergal was the first Northern Irish student to be elected to the UK-wide National Student Fundraising Association. He also held the first joint fund-raising day gathering all of Northern Ireland’s universities and higher education colleges to share experiences and learn from each other.

On receiving his award, Fergal said, “It’s an absolute honour and a privilege to have received this award. It represents the incredible array of opportunities available at Queen’s and the amazing community spirit fostered in the Belfast community.”

Nichola Mallon, Lord Mayor of Belfast stated, “I am particularly proud of the students here at Queen’s, the amount of time that they have given selflessly, and the compassion that they have shown for their fellow citizens. I think that Fergal has done a tremendous job, he just doesn’t give to one charity he clearly has transformed a number of them. He is a credit to the University and to this City.”

Niall McShane, President of Queen’s Students’ Union said, “Congratulations to Fergal on winning the Special Contribution Award. Fergal thoroughly deserves this award for the determination, passion, and commitment he has shown this year in a number of roles. I can say he has truly had a considerable impact upon the student community and beyond.”

Our other wonderful winners are: 

• Liz Torrans - Alumni Volunteer of the Year
• Dr Declan McLaughlin - Staff Volunteer of the Year
• Professor Kenneth R Seddon - The Queen’s Improvement to Society Award
• James Hyde - Course Representative of the Year
• TanzaniAID - Charitable/Voluntary Event or Activity of the Year
• Queen’s University Red Cross (QURC) - Voluntary or Charitable/Group/Club/Society/Organisation of the Year
• Mogue Lawless - Student Volunteer of the Year

Find out more about them right here.

IMAGE CAPTION (L-R):

Seamus Reid of Reid Black Solicitors, Lisa Evans of Clements, Fergal McFerran winner of the Special Contribution Award, Nichola Mallon Lord Mayor of Belfast, and Niall McShane President of Queen’s Students’ Union.