Lawrence Murphy scoops Housing Executive rural award
Lawrence Murphy, Board member of Saintfield Community Association and Chair of the Greens Committee in Saintfield in County Down has secured a £500 prize as part of this year’s Housing Executive’s Rural Community Awards.
All year-round Lawrence can be found tending to his beloved village’s green spaces and ensuring that they can be accessed and enjoyed by all.
Held this year in the Seamus Heaney Homeplace, Bellaghy, the annual Rural Community Awards event provides a showcase for individuals and groups undertaking outstanding volunteering work at grassroots level in rural areas across Northern Ireland, helping maintain local neighbourhoods and boosting civic pride.
Claire Crainey, Housing Executive Area Manager, South Down said: “We are delighted that Lawrence Murphy took top prize in our rural awards Community Champion section.
“Lawrence has been at the heart of the good work that the Saintfield Community Association has delivered and it is reflected in the high esteem he is held in by the members of the entire community.”
Linda Beers, Chair of Saintfield Community Association said: “We are so delighted that Lawrence is being recognised in this way by the Housing Executive.
“To know Lawrence’s commitment best would be to hear from local people about how much he has done for Saintfield and how well thought of he is.
“He does not seek praise or accolades, but his selflessness in what he does for our village is there for all of us to see.
“His passion for the environment led him to night-time studying to gain horticultural qualifications, equipping him with knowledge of plants, soil, biodiversity and eco-friendly disciplines.
“Whatever the weather Lawrence is cleaning and weeding paths/verges, trimming back overhanging branches and hedges and any other ad hoc environmental matters that may crop up.
“He leads the village environmental team of 12 volunteers on all the various projects throughout the year and is active in supporting young people develop environmental skills via the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme.
“Congratulations Lawrence. We are delighted for you!”
