St Louis Eco Warriors with Deputy Chair Garth Craig, Joe Mahon, and Live Here Love Here Manager, Jodie- Ann McAneaney.

On Thursday 16th February over 100 guests, including the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Mayors of Ards and North Down and Mid and East Antrim, Chairperson of Fermanagh and Omagh and Deputy Chair of Newry Mourne and Down, attended the first ever Live Here Love Here Community Awards in The Great Hall, Queens University Belfast. Compered by Lesser Spotted Ulster presenter, Joe Mahon, these awards celebrated the dedication of volunteers throughout Northern Ireland who instil the values of Live Here Love Here.

From regular litter picks to the creation of shared community spaces these unsung heroes dedicate their time and efforts into making our home cleaner, greener, safer and more sustainable. One group have even gone so far as to adopt an entire lough, and ensure it remains litter free all year round!

Guests were entertained by music from talented, young musicians Fourte Strings and The Matt Evans Jazz Quartet. Adventurer, Leon McCarron was the guest speaker for the night, encouraging volunteers to have a tenacious attitude in the face of adversity. Martyn Todd, a Live Here Love Here Ambassador and member of the Saintfield Development Association spoke of the journey of Live Here Love Here over the past 3 years, from the seedling civic pride campaign to the flourishing Live Here Love Here programme that it is today.

Twelve awards were presented in total, rewarding work such as litter picks, community involvement and going above and beyond all expectations. The bespoke award pieces, made out of recycled materials, were created by Sue Tinkler, Tinklertastic.

We would like to extend our thanks to the following companies who kindly donated prizes to reward our volunteers: Aunt Sandra’s, Belfast Activity Centre, Belfast Cookery School, Body and Sole NI- Podiatry and Physiotherapy, Hilton Northern Ireland, Johnsons Coffee, Jungle NI, Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel and Chalets, Long Line Surf School, Lush Belfast, Malone Lodge Hotel & Apartments, Movie House Cinemas LTD, National Museums NI, Stormont Hotel, Suki Tea, The Odyssey Trust Company and Todds Leap.

At Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful we run a number of campaigns and programmes that embody the values of Live Here Love Here which would not be possible without the help of our dedicated volunteers. Volunteers who have shown they truly do love where they live.

If you would like to find out more or get involved with Live Here Love Here please visit our website; www.liveherelovehere.org or contact enquiries@liveherelovehere.org.