A recent gathering in Mahon’s Hotel, Irvinestown was organised as an expression of gratitude by Marj Aitken, winner of the Margaret Wilson perpetual award for outstanding voluntary endeavour.

Committed Trendsetters volunteer Marj, who was nominated by ARC, had been visiting her daughters in South Africa when the exciting announcement was made last November and the occasion became a global celebration as Marj was able to join the special event through a Skype conference to Mahon’s Hotel.

The well-known and highly regarded figure, who represents Trendsetters on various committees including Irvinestown Community Partnership, said that she ‘wanted to thank everyone’ and she organised the recent “little get-together to thank the ARC for nominating me” and to acknowledge Trendsetters for letting her do the voluntary work. At her ‘snack and chat’ at Mahon’s Hotel on Friday, May 30, Marj explained that she had brought some liquer from South Africa to celebrate with.

She felt it was a very enjoyable occasion and she was delighted that they also had Sadie Brown, of Trendsetters, who collected the Margaret Wilson Award the year before her. Marj pointed out that she is the fourth member of Trendsetters to have collected the Award, which was also previously won by Dr. Margaret Knox and Marie McCordick.