MR. IAIN LENDRUM, BEM

Mr. Iain Lendrum, Clabby is thrilled that he has been honoured with a BEM for his services to the community in Co. Tyrone

Mr. Lendrum was pleased to be awarded for both his efforts as chairman of Fivemiletown Royal British Legion Club (FRBLC) and as chairman of Fivemiletown Coronavirus Response Group. Iain who was born and bred in Fivemiletown now lives in neighbouring Clabby.

He added: “I am honoured that it happened at any time but to have it happen during Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee is very special.”

Speaking about his experience as chair of both groups, he said: “I’ve been chair of the FRBLC for 15 years now and involved in the committee for about 25-30 years. I really love it and it is not a job to me, it is a family, it is all of the volunteer and committee efforts which make such clubs work.”

It was Mr. Lendrum who led volunteers in the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic as part of the Fivemiletown Coronavirus Response Group.

He said: “We called the first meeting just before the first lockdown and we got up and running early, there were about 40 volunteers who came to that meeting in the legion, and got involved in the shop deliveries, the deliveries of food parcels, and all and volunteers never once complained whatsoever.”

Stepped up

Speaking about how Fivemiletown stepped up during the coronavirus pandemic, Mr. Lendrum said: “It was a reflection of the community, a lot of businesses got involved and sponsored meals and stuff like that also. We got some funding, businesses stepped up with money as did local sports clubs and the local orange lodge. It really was a community effort.”

Mr. Lendrum has said he learned by example when it come to volunteering from his parents, Austin and Renee Lendrum. He said: “Mum and dad have been volunteers all their life, especially mum who has 50 year of voluntary service for ten different groups. If anyone deserved a MBE it would be her.”

Mr. Lendrum also expressed gratitude for his family for their support with his efforts for the community, including his partner Yvonne and his three children.uding his partner Yvonne and his three children.