Family and community thanked by Carrickfergus MBE recipient

Stephen Leslie Weir, who is also active in a number of other organisations in the east Antrim town, was named in the New Year Honours list.

A committee member of Carrickfergus RBL, Mr Weir is also chairman of Carrickfergus UDR Veterans’ Association and vice-chairman of Chill, a mental health group in Carrickfergus.

Over the first lockdown, Stephen was out everyday helping distribute food and essentials to pensioners and the vulnerable.

The initiatives involving Loyal Orange Lodge 553 and the Peace Impact Project were made possible, Stephen noted, “with the help of local businesses and the generosity of the carrickfergus public”.

“We also got money from Carrickfergus UDR Veterans’ Association and Carrickfergus RBL to make this happen, with various council grants.

“This would not have been possible without the backing and support of the organisations I am in and I thank them. Over the past six years, the UDR Association has taken out hampers to our veterans at Christmas - something that has got bigger every year.

“Carrickfergus is my hometown and a place I am very proud of - always loved to get involved and show community support, helping with the youth and the elderly, helping our veterans of the town. But it’s my family who back and supported me, and my mother who brought me up to respect and with that upbringing made me the what I am today.”

Click here to read: New Year honours for east Antrim’s business and community leaders.

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