Saturday 22nd November 2025

Armagh City Hotel

• Amber Calvert
• Ashley Clarke
• Bernie O’Connor
• Brendan and Marie Toner
• Declan Heaney
• Gabrielle McTaggart

Barney Bowl Foundation County Armagh Person of the Year Award 2024.

Aidan Crummy – Amazing Abilities Group, Silverbridge.

Amber Calvert – Lurgan

Amber Calvert is one of the kindest and most thoughtful young lady you will ever meet. In a world of gimme, gimme, gimme and I want, I want, I want,  the Lurgan girls display of generosity and caring for others is a joy to behold.

Having never had her hair cut, (apart from the occasional split-end trim) from the day she was born for her 8th birthday instead of asking for presents, Amber decided to donate 34cm of her hair to the Little Princess Trust to make wigs for other young children that have experienced hair loss through illness.

Not only did she donate her hair, she also set up a go fund me page and between it and monies collected at her birthday party her magnificent gesture also raised vital funds for the Little Princess Trust.
As a daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece or friend Amber Calvert is an inspiration not alone to those that know her, but to everyone throughout the world.

We have no doubt, this is only the beginning of something special.

Thank you Amber

Ashley Clarke – Killylea

Ashley Clarke from Killylea has single handedly done more to educate people about Huntingtons Disease than most of us will ever realise. 

Introduced to the Disease at the age of 14 when her late father Desmond was first diagnosed with Huntingtons Disease,  Ashley has over the past 17 years devoted every spare moment to either caring for her late father, helping or educating those affected by the degenerative genetic disease. 

Her daily blog “I’m not drunk” has helped so many people understand the impact that the disease has had not only on those affected by Huntingtons Disease but also on those near and dear to them.

An Ambassador for Huntingtons Disease N.I. she has both worked for the charity and travelled the world  educating others along the way. As Huntingtons Disease is genetic, Ashley has also spent the last 17 years living in fear that she would face the same fate as her late father, however thanks to advances in medical science, Ashley recently received the wonderful test results that shows that she is negative for the gene that causes Huntingtons Disease. 

A major weight off her shoulders it has energised her even more to continue the marvellous work that she has become synominus with over the past 17 years. 

Ashley has always been determined to ensure that no child or young person grows up reading only the horror stories online about Huntington’s Disease. She works tirelessly so that they instead know that support exists—here in Northern Ireland, in Armagh, and beyond. She has often said that her motivation has always been simple: that no child should ever experience the lonely fear she felt in 2008.

God bless you Ashley

Brendan and Marie Toner – Armagh

Brendan and Marie Toner are Armagh legends.
Week in week out they can be found helping someone in need or raising funds for some worthy cause around Armagh City and beyond.

For the past 25 years they have devoted a vast amount of time and effort to helping others.
Now both in their 80’s and still going strong, most Sunday nights they can be found in the Armagh City Golf Club Clubhouse where the weekly draw they organise continues to raise much needed funds for various needs.

From the small local needs to the large national and international charities, Brendan and Marie Toner have supported them all down through the years and hope to continue to do so for many more years to come.

Well done Brendan and Marie

Declan Heaney – Lurgan

Declan Heaney’s journey through life is an inspiration for anyone who feels they have taken the wrong path.

Having become fed up with the education system,  he packed in his studies at a young age and headed off to the workplace to make his way in life.

A talented footballer in soccer and Gaelic codes,  he had the world at his feet.

However after a number of years working he came to the conclusion that the path he was on lacked something in order to advance.

He began to regret not following through on his earlier education plan.

He decided to go back to education.

Combining studies with work meant many sacrifices had to be made,  including giving up his beloved sports.

But all well that ends well and after numerous awards along the way Declan was named twice Student of the Year, British Education Award Winner 2024 and Higher Education Award winner 2024.

Congratulations Declan

Madden Community

Madden Community are a prime example of what Community is all about.

An area devastated by tragedy, pain and suffering over the past couple of years, the support for each other and the togetherness that has emerged has to be admired by those looking on from the outside. 

Culminating in winning a first ever County Armagh Senior Football Championship
in recent days the people of Madden have got the true Community Spirit.

Well done one and all

Nit and Natters – Armagh

The story of Nit and Natters is truly heartwarming and inspiring. Founded by Armagh friends Lily McMullan and Gail Steed, the group’s dedication to supporting Breast Cancer NI and Evora Hospice (formerly Southern Area Hospice) is a testament to the power of friendship and community.

Gail, the knitter, and Lily, the natter, came together during the challenging times of lockdown, and their partnership has made a significant impact. Lily’s personal experience with breast cancer, having lost her father to male breast cancer and her daughter Kathy to stage 4 breast cancer, has driven their mission to support others affected by the disease.

The group’s journey began with a simple yet powerful idea – to create headbands and raise funds for Pretty ‘n Pink Breast Cancer NI. From humble beginnings, they’ve grown to a community of almost 100 local ladies who meet regularly to knit and natter, creating beautiful handmade items from donated wool. Their efforts have raised an incredible £140,000+, supporting vital services and providing comfort to those affected by breast cancer.

Their fundraising efforts are diverse and community-driven, with pop-up stalls at local events like the Richhill Show, Armagh Show, and Lurgan Show, as well as partnerships with local businesses and schools. The group’s enthusiasm and dedication have inspired many, and their impact extends far beyond Armagh.

Nit and Natters’ story is a shining example of how community, friendship, and compassion can come together to make a real difference. Their work is a tribute to the lives lost to breast cancer and a beacon of hope for those affected by the disease. Well done, Nit and Natters – you’re an inspiration to us all! 

Kieran Quinn – Playr-Fit

Playr-Fit founded by Kieran Quinn and Steven Burns has become a leading light in Ireland’s teamwear business.

From humble beginnings in Culloville in South Armagh to their new Headquarters in Cloughoge the company has grown steadily over the past 7 years.

However it is not just the success of the business or the increase in local employment that Playr-Fit has brought to the orchard
county that has saw Playr-Fit reach the final of the Barney Bowl Foundation County Armagh People of the Year Awards.

No it’s also the benevolent aspect of the business that sees them part of the celebrations.

On a number of occasions Playr-Fit has held warehouse clearance sales, when staff have given their time for free and the proceeds of all sales were donated to local charities.
Thanks to Playr-Fit organisations such as Evora Hospice (Southern Hospice), Kevin Bell and Care for Caolan have been on the receiving end of some very generous donations with in the region of £50,000 having been donated to the various recipients by the company to date.

Thank you Playr-Fit

St John the Baptist College – Portadown

St John the Baptist College has been to the fore of education in Armagh for a long number of years.

However under the leadership of current Principal Noella Murray, St John the Baptist College has scaled new heights.

Thanks to Noella and her dedicated staff 2025 has seen St John the Baptist College receive numerous prestigious awards including the award for best Post Primary School in Northern Ireland.

Well done everybody

• Oscar McKinney, Markethill.
• Armagh Outreach Team.
• Rev. Malcolm Kingston, Armagh.
• Alan Crawford, Portadown.
• Kathryn Smyth, Markethill.
• Tracey McClucas, Benburb.
• Mark Jameson, Portadown.
• Katie Whiteside, Milton Keynes and Markethill.
• Joanne Harris, Lurgan.
• Ashley Clarke, Killylea.
• Marty Rafferty, Armagh.
• Amber Calvert, Lurgan.
• Nit and Natters, Armagh.
• Niall Grimley, Madden.
• Aoife Watters, Belleek.
• Bernie McGleenan, Armagh.
•  Gabrielle McTaggart, Camlough.
• St John the Baptist College, Portadown.

• George and Tommy’s Sunflower Field & Gilpin Family, Loughgall.
• Steven Wright, Portadown.
• The Grimley Family, Madden.
• Erin McComarc, Rose of Tralee, Lurgan.
• St Luke’s Hospital, Armagh.
• Emma Walsh, Aghagallon.
• Friends of the Folly River, Armagh.
• Playr-Fit, Cloughoge. 
• Maureen McCumiskey, Dromintee. 
• Deirdre Breen, Lurgan.
• Oscar Black, Lurgan.    
• Madden Community, Madden.
• Louise Taylor, Little Forget Me Nots Trust, Lurgan.
• Connor Clarke, Clarke Fitness, Armagh.
• Declan Heaney, Lurgan.
• Bernie O’Connor, Triple A Group, Darkley.