A Downpatrick and County Down Railway Volunteer Is Shortlisted for Prestigious UK Award
Jonathan King, a volunteer at the Downpatrick & County Down Railway has helped not only the railway but businesses across Downpatrick with flood defences during the recent flooding.
And now he is one of just four volunteers from across the UK and Ireland announced to be a contender for the prestigious Lord Faulkner Young Volunteer Award category of the Heritage Railway Association’s 2024 Annual Awards.
Robert Gardiner, DCDR chairman, said that he was delighted with the news, and added: “Jonathan’s exceptional contributions to the railway read like the CV of someone much older.
“His remarkable tenacity, generosity, and dedication make him a standout team player, always willing to assist colleagues across various departments, regardless of the task’s nature or complexity.”
Jonathan, now 24 years old, has been a volunteer at DCDR since he was in his early teens and in January 2023 he was elected onto the railway’s Board of Directors at the age of 23.
He carries out his railway duties – both administrative and on-the-ground – whilst also studying a Law Degree at Trinity, regularly travelling back and forth between Downpatrick and Dublin.
Robert Gardiner added that Jonathan played an invaluable role during challenging times. “In the face of the recent floods, Jonathan played a pivotal role in safeguarding the railway.
“Acting as a spokesperson for DCDR in the local and national media, he not only monitored floodwaters when others couldn’t but also assisted local businesses in removing stock from flooded shops, and purchasing sandbags from his own pocket.”
Jonathan also showed “exemplary efforts during the summer of 2020.
“In the challenging summer of 2020, amid a wave of vandalism and the ongoing COVID pandemic, Jonathan went above and beyond by serving as a night watchman, patrolling the DCDR site until the early hours.
“His tireless initiative is evident in his leadership of projects previously mentioned, and additionally, he has organised and represented the DCDR at events across Ireland, acting as a dedicated ambassador.
“And he has help expand the railway’s reach to a broader audience, putting the DCDR back on the tourist map after the period of enforced closure over COVID.
“His role as a social media admin and website editor since 2018 further demonstrates his commitment to promoting DCDR online.
“Jonathan’s dedication extends to hands-on restoration work, notably devoting significant time and effort to restoring the 80 class railcar set, showcasing his attention to detail and commitment to preserving historical authenticity”.
Beyond his behind-the-scenes efforts, Jonathan excels as a renowned tour guide at DCDR, hosting entertaining tour groups to high-profile visitors alike.
His ability to establish useful connections for DCDR has significantly contributed to the railway’s visibility and network.
Jonathan said: “I’m extremely grateful to my colleagues for nominating me for this prestigious award.
“Joining DCDR was the best decisions I’ve ever made. Since a young age, it’s given me countless opportunities to gain unique skills, ranging from steam locomotive engineering to guiding tours of our museum.
“And I’ve met people and made lifelong friends from countless different walks of life.”
Robert Gardiner added” “Jonathan’s multifaceted contributions, ranging from operational and restoration work to community engagement and legal support, make him a standout candidate for the Young Volunteer of the Year award.
“His unwavering dedication, exemplary leadership, and extensive skill set – but also totally without any expectation of reward or thanks – have not only propelled DCDR forward but have also left an indelible mark on the Downpatrick & County Down Railway community, and wish him every success at the awards ceremony in February.”
The shortlist for the Lord Faulkner Young Volunteer Award was curated by a panel of fourteen experts chaired by National Railway Museum senior curator Anthony Coulls. ]
The prestigious Heritage Railway Association’s 2024 Annual Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Hotel Metropole in Brighton on Saturday, 10th February 2024.
