Tommy’s faithfulness and kindness honoured
Mr Tommy Stewart, a lifelong member of St Martin’s, Ballymacarrett, has been honoured by the Belfast City Council for 35 years of sterling service volunteering with the Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health (Niamh), Beacon Day Support Centre.
The Lord Mayor, Gavin Robinson, presented Tommy with his ‘Belfast City Council’s Older Volunteer Award’ at a ceremony in Belfast City Hall back in December.
Tommy was a former Shipyard worker and bus driver but gave up work to care for his wife Edna, who developed Multiple Sclerosis, aged just 21. Edna encouraged Tommy to take up volunteering in 1977 as a respite from caring for her.
Anne Allan of Ballymacarrett writes that, “Beside his volunteering work, Tommy cared for his friends and many of us have had first–hand experience of his kindness and thoughtfulness. Having known Tommy since childhood I know of no one who deserves this award more. Well done my friend!”
Well done indeed!