The William Keown Trust

Highlighting The Achievements And Promoting The Dignity Of People With Disabilities

Children of Courage Award

This award is presented to children who have shown courage, determination and resilience in overcoming adverse circumstances.

Children under eighteen years with or without a disability may be nominated for this award.

There are three special trophies in the Children of Courage category

·   The Ironside Cup

·   The CE Stevenson Cup

·   The J B Doherty Shield

Adult Achievers Award

This award is presented to people with disabilities who have shown particular effort, resilience and determination in overcoming their disability.  Many such people have gone on to give a service to the community and encouragement to others.

Adults with disabilities (over eighteen years) are eligible and include those who

a.    have had a disability from  birth

b.    have acquired a disability as a result of illness or injury

There are three special trophies in the Adult Achievement Category:

The PSNI Cup

The N l Chamber of Commerce Cup

The Flogas Shield

The Glenfarm Carers Award

This award is presented to non-professional carers who give an exceptional standard of care or support to persons with disabilities.

Children are also eligible for this award.  In making this award consideration will be given to the dedication of the carer, the length of time the carer has been in service and the degree of dependency of the person for whom care is being provided.

Haldane Butler Memorial Trophy

The Haldane Butler Memorial Trophy is awarded to a child or adult for exceptional endurance and determination to overcome illness, injury or disability over a protracted period of time.  Haldane Butler was a young man from Omagh who fought against cancer for six years.  In 1996 he underwent the world’s first triple organ transplant operation, receiving a new liver, pancreas and small bowel in a pioneering operation in the world famous St James Hospital (Jimmy’s) in Leeds.  In April 1997 he had a further operation to remove a tumour from his spine, but by Christmas he was back in hospital again in great pain.  He died on 6^th February 1998.  Haldane, a graduate of Queens University was determined to live as normal a life as possible.  In spite of setback after setback he never complained.  He loved life but in the end his mortal body surrendered – not his spirit.

Special Olympics Award

The Lilliput Cup is awarded to a  Special Olympics athlete nominated by the Northern Ireland Special Olympics committee based in Ballymoney.

Special Olympics is a year round sports training and competition programme for both children and adults. Founded in 1968 in the United States by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the organisation has now grown to encompass over 150 countries worldwide.

In Ireland, Special Olympics began in 1978. There are now almost 12,000 athletes participating in the programme throughout the 32 counties of Ireland.  

"Let me win but if I cannot win let me be brave in the attempt" - Special Olympics Oath

The Christopher McCollum Memorial Cup

The Christopher McCollum Memorial Cup was presented by his parents to the William Keown Trust. Christopher, from Bangor, who had Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and was fully confined to a wheelchair for most of his life sadly died in September 2001, aged almost 17. The cup is to be awarded to someone who makes a significant difference to the life of someone with a disability or illness and who may not be part of the family circle. The inspiration for the cup was in recognition of the wonderful friendship Christopher received from his life long special able-bodied best friend, called Christopher Hardy.