News

Children Of The Year Awards

Date Posted: Friday 18 February 2005

Deborah Boyle and Conor Smyth Two young people from the Foyle area have received special recognition for their achievements at the Derry Journal Children of the Year Awards, held at the Everglades Hotel recently.

Both Deborah Boyle and Conor Smyth use the services of The Cedar Foundation, a charity that works in partnership with people in Northern Ireland with physical disability and/or brain injury. Deborah and Conor were nominated by family members to receive the child of courage award and were delighted when they both found out that they had been chosen as winners.

A reporter from the Derry Journal said that "Choosing children for special recognition was exceptionally difficult. While we believe the children we have selected have shown exceptional levels of courage and care we want to point out that we feel that all the children who were nominated are winners in their own right".

Fiona Spence, Youth Officer with The Cedar Foundation in Foyle added:

"It's fantastic that the young people that are involved in Outlook, and the Peer Education Programme with The Cedar Foundation have been honoured in this way. I'm really pleased that Deborah has been recognised for her contribution to the disability services arena and that despite Conor's health problems he's still a shining example of how to stay positive and keep your spirits up".

Here are their stories:

Conor Smyth, Child of Courage Award, (Aged 11)
Conor Smyth was nominated for a courage award by his Uncle Gerry Temple. Despite his own health problems Conor simply glows and brings light into every life he touches. In the past year he has achieved several milestones. He passed the Eleven Plus exam to get into St Columb's College and follow in his three big brothers' footsteps. He also passed his driving test allowing him to use his electric wheelchair out and about. Conor pointed out "Not many weans pass them two in the one year". An example of how Conor's special magic touches others and brings out the best in people is demonstrated by his former pupils in Long Tower Primary School. They recently gathered the money to help buy a laptop computer to help Conor keep up with his studies at the big school. Now everyone has to have a flaw and Conor is no different. The Smyth side of the family is to blame for this as Conor is a fanatical Chelsea supported as is his Dad Niall and all his brothers. Conor has shown many adults the courage to get through painful situations and keep their spirits up and enjoy every day as it comes. We're all blessed to have him know us, said Gerry.

Deborah Boyle, Child of Courage Award, (Aged 15)
Fifteen years old Deborah from Glenbank Road was nominated for the Courage Ward by her sister Alison. Alison told the Journal: "Deborah was born with a rare incurable disease called Mucopolysaccharide. A few years ago she had to undergo trials for Enzyme Replacement Therapy in Manchester which meant her travelling weekly to England for painful and invasive procedures. After a year she made a huge decision to stop the trials.

At present she is working the Peer Group at The Cedar Foundation, supporting young people with disabilities; raising issues affecting young people and she has spoken at a conference to help the services of The Cedar Foundation. Her courage has given others strength and she hopes she has changed attitudes and stereotypes around disability. Deborah has also written and directed two short films in the Nerve Centre, one of which was shown at the Foyle Film Festival. She has had to overcome a lot in her 15 years, but has done so with determination, good humour and courage. We are all very proud of our sister.

If you would like to find out more details about The Cedar Foundation please log on to www.cedar-foundation.org , e.mail: info@cedar-foundation.org or tel: 028 9066 6188.

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