Queen's Award for Mae Murray Foundation

The award aims to recognise outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their local communities.

The charity, which was set up by local woman Alix Crawford in memory of her mum Mae Murray, a former teacher at Larne Tech, supports people of all ages who are socially isolated and excluded as a result of disability, age, medical, sensory or undiagnosed condition.

Starting with just 20 families in 2016, the organisation now includes over 600 families from across Northern Ireland. Thanks to their inclusive vision, they have spearheaded the introduction of beach wheelchairs to the province as well as miniature wheelchairs for disabled infants and other innovative projects.

The charity featured on the 2019 BBC Children in Need programme with a major feature on their ‘Inclusive Beaches’ initiative.

The Queen’s Award scheme was created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. The equivalent of an MBE for voluntary groups, it is the highest form of civic award that can be granted to an organisation in the UK in recognition of the outstanding work of volunteers.

Each applicant is subjected to a rigorous assessment process at both Northern Ireland and United Kingdom levels. Recipients are announced each year on June 2, the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.

The number of nominations remains high year on year, a clear sign that the voluntary sector is thriving and full of innovative ideas.

This year sees a diverse range of winners among volunteer groups across the UK, including a community shop in Cornwall, an environmental group in Swansea, a group working with refugees and vulnerable people in Stirling and a thriving community arts centre in County Down.

Mae Murray Foundation is one of 230 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to be named winners in 2020.

Other County Antrim groups who have been awarded the honour include Coaching for Christ, based in Ahoghill, and the Ballymoney branch of the Royal British Legion.

Representatives of Mae Murray Foundation will receive the Queen’s Award from David McCorkell, Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim later this summer. Furthermore, two volunteers from the Foundation will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May 2021, along with other recipients of this year’s Award.

Mae Murray Foundation’s Chairperson, Alix Crawford said: “We are delighted that our volunteer work has been recognised, and I’d like to pay tribute to the hard work, commitment and ongoing dedication of all our volunteers from our young Ambassadors to our Board of Directors.

“This award acknowledges the difference we have made – and continue to make - to the quality of life of others in creating inclusive communities.”

The Lord Lieutenant for County Antrim, David McCorkell, expressed his congratulations to the successful organisations. “I am delighted that three organisations from County Antrim have been granted the QAVS in 2020,” he said. “The award is a wonderful achievement and it recognises the commitment and dedication of volunteers who make such an important contribution to their local communities.

“The importance of volunteering to civic life has never been more important than at the present time and I am delighted that so many volunteer groups across the county have been actively engaged in supporting their local communities during the present pandemic.

“I look forward to meeting the volunteers from each of the three successful organisations at their individual award ceremonies which will hopefully be organised in a few months’ time.”

Also commending the Foundation was newly-elected Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Cllr Peter Johnston.

“Through their work tackling social isolation, the Mae Murray Foundation has been able to help around 600 people play an active and equal part in their communities," he said.

“It is a great privilege to be able to salute [this] organisation for bringing great pride to their borough through such well-deserved honours.”