Cedar would like to acknowledge the massive contribution of Joe and Susan Burke who have volunteered with Cedar for over an incredible 13 years.

During their time volunteering with Cedar, Joe and Susan's roles ranged from ICT support to mentoring service users to progress in their Cedar service, through to supporting people to get involved in their local community.

Joe started volunteering with Cedar, supporting service users with visual impairments to use assistive technology. His digital skills were greatly valued by Cedar and recognised externally with Joe winning a Talk Talk Digital Heros Award in 2011.

Susan's volunteering journey with Cedar started with her supporting people with visual impairments to adjust to their disability by being available to talk and answer questions, as well as sharing her knowledge of local services and resources they could access. Susan's positivity and generosity of time benefited a number of visually impaired people when life was changing for them.

These indispensable individuals became the dynamic duo when in 2010 Joe and Susan became Mr & Mrs Burke. Their partnership with Cedar continued through the development of a social group in the Bangor and Newtownards area. Susan, as the Chairperson and Joe, as the Secretary provided excellent direction and motivation to the social group members.

Marion Bryson the Volunteer Co-ordinator commented
"Joe and Susan's reliability, commitment, and determined teamwork are all qualities Cedar appreciates in excellent volunteers" and added
"We would like to thank Joe and Susan for making a difference to so many lives and to wish them all the best in the future".