Cedar Staff Member Scoops Award

Friday 15 June 2012

Henry McDonald, who works for Cedar Brain Injury Services in the Southern area, is celebrating two significant achievements this month. 

Henry has been a valued member of the staff team based in Newry for 10 years this June!  He was the first member of staff employed in the area and has seen the services grow from a new pilot project in 2002 to a 6 person team with capacity to work with up to 50 adults who require support to meet vocational and rehabilitation goals after Brain Injury.  As Head of Service, Elaine Armstrong would like to recognise the contribution and professionalism that Henry has always brought to the Brain Injury Services staff team.

The other cause for celebration is as a result of a nomination made by Henry’s co-workers at Cedar to recognise the societal impact of volunteering.  The Confederation of Community Groups, Newry hosted a key award ceremony on the 7th June for the Patricia Graham “Shining Light” Volunteer Awards.  This is given to recognise outstanding contribution to volunteering within the local area.

In his spare time Henry volunteers at the Newry & Mourne Gateway club, supporting people with learning disabilities as their Access Officer and Befriender. Henry regularly uses his annual leave to travel with the Gateway Service Users to football tournaments and to support those participating in the Special Olympics. Henry is heavily involved in a local traditional music group and takes part in many cross community events. Henry also is a keen fundraiser in his spare time, in support of local charities.

Sinead Drummond, Deputy Head of Brain Injury Services explained why she put forward the nomination, “We at Cedar feel that given Henry’s dedication not only to the Service Users he works with in a paid capacity but also those individuals and organisations he volunteers with on a long standing basis, he is truly deserving of an award. Henry’s activity throughout the area has helped to raise the profile of Cedar’s work and we’d like to take this opportunity to thank him for that.”

The staff team at Cedar would like to congratulate Henry on his achievements and the special award that he received in recognition of this.