Paul Harris Fellowship Awarded to Joe Hyland MBE

The Rotary Club of Belfast has awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship to
Joe Hyland MBE,  Chief Executive SOS NI.

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 made by PP Maurice Brooks at the Club meeting Monday 22 May highlighted Joe's extraordinary vision, skill in fundraising and dealing with volunteers and staff as well as the development over the last 10 years of SOS NI. He noted that as he had been SOS NI Chairman for 3 years he had seen Joe in action and had found him full of ideas and he stressed Joe's strong faith and belief that "we are our brothers' keepers". He revealed that 10 years ago Joe had decided that something needed done but needed £150,000 to get SOS started; his many supporters, incredible networking, dynamism and charisma have brought SOS NI to the point where over 300,000 people have been helped. He outlined Joe's broader outreach vision on the north coast and noted that it had been a privilege to work with him.