Derry Journal People of the Year Awards 2020 cancelled due to COVID-19

Richard Moore, Children In Crossfire, receives the Lifetime Achievement Award, from Mayor of Derry City and Strabane Colr. Michaela Boyle, at the Derry Journal People of the Year Awards held recently in the Waterfoot Hotel. Included in the photograph are Adrian Logan, compere, Niamh Moore, Paul McLean, managing director, BetMcLean, principle sponsor, and Brendan McDaid, Editor, Derry Journal. DER3619GS – 081

However we can confirm that we are planning to bring the awards back in 2021, by which stage hopefully we will all be back to some sort of normality in the north west.

The Derry Journal People of the Year Awards over the past six years have paid homage to those local people and organisations who have gone the extra mile and who are an asset in everything they do.

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown restrictions, preparations had been under way for the seventh annual awards, but in order to keep everyone safe and in line with government guidelines we have decided to postpone the event for this year.

Last year’s event saw emotional scenes as the inspirational stories of the finalists were shared at the lavish Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony at the Waterfoot Hotel.

There were 13 categories in the Derry Journal/ Bet McLean awards and during the event last September, compere, former UTV Sports personality Adrian Logan paid tribute to all the nominees.

Mr Logan told those gathered that each of the finalists had made an exceptional contribution to the local community and the city.

There was a standing ovation as Children in Crossfire founder Richard Moore was announced as the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, which was sponsored by Derry City & Strabane District Council.

Among the special guests in attendance were the then Mayor of Derry & Strabane Michaela Boyle, Derry Olympian Charlie Nash, then Foyle MP Elisha McCallion, Martin Mullan (who was the first recipient of the Journal’s Derry People of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award), and Foyle MLAs Mark H Durkan and Raymond McCartney.

A substantial amount of money was raised for last year’s chosen charity, Victim Support NI, and those who made donations were entered into a draw for prizes, which included two free flights courtesy of Loganair and a host of other prizes sponsored by local businesses.

The Derry Journal would like to pay tribute to all those who entered the awards in the past and all of the sponsors and the local businesses and organisations who helped ensure it was a memorable and special event for all those attending.

We hope to see all our valued local advertisers and businesses getting involved next year once again, and we would urge everyone to get their thinking caps on for when the nominations hopefully reopen in the new year. There’s no shortage of talent in the north west and we all know someone or some organisation that deserves their moment in the spotlight for all they do to help others.

Categories last year were: Special Certificate of Recognition, Talented Young Person, Community Development, Volunteer of the Year, Contribution to Arts & Culture, Outstanding Bravery, Inspirational Educator of the Year, Inspirational Young Person, Business Person of the Year, Carer of the Year, Charity Worker of the Year, Sports Volunteer of the Year, Sports Person of the Year.