The William Keown Trust

Highlighting The Achievements And Promoting The Dignity Of People With Disabilities

PSNI Cup  

Kym Lennon of Bangor

Kym acquired her disability at the age of thirty one through brain surgery to remove a benign tumour from her fourth ventricle. This surgery resulted in ataxia which is a lack of balance, double vision, poor co-ordination and other medical conditions which changed Kym’s life completely especially as her young daughter was only eighteen months at the time.    Kym had to undergo a period of complete adjustment including intensive physical, occupational and speech therapy.   Kym views disability as a very important issue, she has made various community contributions through her art work and has contributed to raising awareness through workshops and by investigating a variety of disabilities throughout Northern Ireland.  She is the chairperson of a local organisation called Disability Matters North Down which promotes full and equal integration of people with disabilities in the North Down Borough.  Kym’s biggest ambition is to live a happy life and to be a good role model for her daughter; she feels that it is  her duty to promote disability through her artwork, through her community work and through public interaction. 

Eilish Byrne of  Armagh

Eilish  whose spina bifida never gets in her way is a wonderful individual with an incredible outlook; to her there is no “dis in “ability”.  Eilish is a keen equestrian and has ridden since she was twelve years old, she competes in regular dressage competitions and is representing Ireland in the next Paralympic Games.    She has organised many fun-raising activities for Para Equestrian Ireland and demonstrates her skills to a variety of groups.  Eilish’s sporting prowess doesn’t stop there earlier this month she completed in the Dublin Marathon.  She is a great ambassador and a charming human being.

Madeline Mulgrew  of  Dungannon

After her own experience of being diagnosed with cancer Madeline realised that there was a real need for   support in Northern Ireland.   In March 2003 she opened the LILAC Patient Cancer Support Centre in Coalisland and  shortly afterwards helped coordinate Northern Ireland’s first cancer patient convention.  The second phase of her work began when she set up a new group Cancer Choices; through this she has supported a huge number of cancer sufferers by maintaining a helpline, undertaking home visits and due to her experience with the Citizens Advice Bureau she is able to assist people filling out forms and to claim benefits at a time when they are vulnerable and challenged.  A huge  amount of fundraising has been done and the group have achieved lottery funding for paid employees for the next three years; this will give  Madeline extra time to continue to network and lobby for better service and improved patient facilities.  

 Special Certificates Of Merit

Margaret Neely of New Mossley

Nuala Allen  of Cookstown

David Allister of Newcastle

Kelly Gorman  of Belfast

Margaret Hamilton  of Carrickfergus

Valerie Killow  of Carrickfergus

Irene King of Finaghy

Margaret Lyttle of Newtownabbey

Michael McCloskey of Claudy

Andrew McGrath of Belfast

Helen Mageean of Killyleagh

Mrs Moorehead  of Newry

Gwyneth Roberts  of Armagh

Ian Ross of Omagh

Wasim Slim of Newry