Kenneth (Kenny) Donaldson, Fivemiletown

MBE for Services to the Community

South East Fermanagh Foundation's (SEFF) Director of Services, Kenny Donaldson, was "shocked and a little embarrassed when I opened the letter and read its contents" detailing that he would be awarded an MBE in Her Majesty The Queen's New Year Honours List 2022, he told this newspaper.

"I feel deeply humbled that anyone would have thought to put forward my name in this way, and to those who did, I would wish to thank them very much."

The campaigner wished to dedicate his MBE to "innocent victims and survivors of terrorism and other Troubles-related violence".

Kenny added: "It remains my privilege to be Director of Services for SEFF, and to be afforded the latitude to lead operationally under the guidance of a supportive Chairman, in Eric Brown, who was one of three men to form the group back in 1998, and who has helped me in many ways in performing my role over the past 13-plus years."

He paid tribute to those who work alongside him, and said: "I am also fortunate to work with a committed team of staff and service providers, but also an army of volunteers – in excess of 100 people – who are the fuel which keeps the SEFF engine running.

"But it is the special people – members and others we support, who allow us to share in their lives, often the most painful and intimate aspects – that truly makes the work we do so rewarding."