Volunteers are ‘deeply honoured’ at double award wins

Volunteers are ‘deeply honoured’ at double award wins

2 April 2025

THE Downpatrick and Co Down Railway has only gone and done it again.

Sixteen months after the heritage railway was under several feet of water after the biggest town centre flood in living memory, the tenacity of its volunteers has again been recognised with a host of awards.

Last week, the heritage railway was celebrating yet more awards success with a double victory at the CO3 (Chief Officers 3rd Sector) awards held at Belfast’s Europa Hotel.

Chairman Robert Gardiner was named ‘Leader of the Year’ in the small organisation category, while finance officer John Noble took home the ‘Trustee of the Year’ award.

The accolades recognise the duo’s their dedication and exceptional contributions to the heritage railway, voluntary sector and social enterprise sector in Northern Ireland. 

Hosted by former broadcaster Sarah Travers, the awards were part of CO3’s 40th-anniversary celebrations, recognising outstanding leadership within the third sector.

The awards celebrate the vital work of charities, social enterprises and voluntary organisations across Northern Ireland, honouring the leaders behind their success.

The trustee of the year category recognises outstanding governance and commitment, while the leader of a small organisation award celebrates inspirational leadership in smaller charities.

Mr Gardiner said he felt very humbled by this award. 

“While I’ve collected a fair few for the railway recently, this one is different as it’s personal recognition. I haven’t received an award for myself since winning a school prize 30 years ago,” he said.

“There’s always that tense moment when you’re convinced it won’t be you when you see the calibre of people you’re up against, most of whom get a salary for what they do and aren’t volunteers giving up their spare time to run a social enterprise and charity like us.”

Looking back, the railway chairman recalled closing his eyes as he heard ‘let’s hear it for Robert…’ and then realising he needed to go up to collect his award.

He added: “A big thanks to my colleagues for the nomination and to everyone at the railway—these awards celebrate all of us.”

Mr Noble said he was “deeply honoured” to be recognised for his work as a trustee with the heritage railway. 

“Winning the trustee of the year award at the CO3 Awards is a privilege. The railway is a major heritage attraction in Ireland, supported by volunteers, all of whom should share in this recognition,” he added.

The latest awards come in what is the railway’s 40th anniversary year.

Since its founding, the volunteer-led organisation has worked to preserve and promote Northern Ireland’s railway heritage, overcoming many challenges along the way, not least the Covid pandemic and devastating floods that hit Downpatrick in 2023, threatening the very future of this unique tourist attraction and social enterprise. 

Despite this, the organisation’s resilience has earned it a growing recognition for both heritage preservation and community leadership. 

The volunteer-run attraction has now won seven major awards in the past six months, including the Heritage Railway Association’s ‘team of the year’ and ‘achievement of the year’ awards, as well as being crowned Northern Ireland Social Enterprise of the Year.

The railway kicked off its 40th Anniversary year with sold-out events at St Patrick’s Day and a special Mother’s Day afternoon tea, and is planning a gala dinner in August to mark its 40th anniversary.

And the Easter Bunny will be back to the railway with the highly popular ‘Easter Eggspress’ in a few weeks’ time with tickets available at www.downrail.co.uk