Club awards Paul Harris Fellowship to Maurice Kinkead

In recognition of his outstanding commitment to the community, President Ronnie presented a Paul Harris Fellowship to Maurice Kinkead, Chief Executive East Belfast Partnership which covers the large area from Dundonald to the inner city and includes several interface areas. This prestigious award is Rotary's highest honour for individuals who have demonstrated exemplary humanitarian service, with an emphasis on personal efforts and active involvement in helping others.

The citation, noted that Maurice has throughout his long career committed himself to working with people and communities, caring for people, doing everything to bring out the best in individuals and supporting others to realise their dreams. His vision and drive for the East of the City has impacted on literally thousands of people.

Accepting the Fellowship, Maurice Kinkead thanked the Club for the accolade bestowed on him, stating that he was immensely privileged to have led the EBP for the past 19 years. He noted that it was a value-driven organization which was in no small measure due to the values and the commitment its partners brought to the table—a rich mix of community, public sector, and notably private sector associates its mission being to make East Belfast a better place in which to live and grow up. That translated into an agenda that was about regeneration—major projects such as the flagship, £35 million Connswater Community Greenway project; Landmark East, Avec Solutions and encouraging participation in arts-based activities in east Belfast including the new neighbourhoods now in the Belfast council area.

He noted that the Partnership had its challenges but he said they were challenges that they faced up to, including doing what they could to improve the look and feel of some areas; refreshing and revitalising not just the urban landscape but the communities that called it home.