MBE for Carrick Senior Gateway stalwart Trevor Monteith

Trevor Monteith, president of Carrickfergus Senior Gateway Club received an MBE for services to adults with a learning disability.

A long-standing volunteer with the organisation, Mr Monteith was recognised in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours for his services to adults with a learning disability.

The Whitehead man said: “My daughter Sally Anne was born in 1964 with a learning disability; she left Rosstullagh School in 1980 and it was after that we got involved with Carrickfergus Adult Centre, then Gateway later that same year.”

He went on to hold a number of positions within the club, from treasurer to chairperson and eventually president.

He also joined Carrickfergus Adult Centre Parents’ Committee; was chairperson, treasurer, and later Trustee of Carrickfergus and District Mencap Society, and remains an honorary member of the Rotary Club of Carrickfergus.

The former bank manager was instrumental in establishing Kilcreggan Homes in 1990, while in 2002, he raised over £16,000 for Mencap with a hike along the Great Wall of China.

In 2014, he received an Unsung Hero award from Lloyd’s Banking Foundation thanks to his work with Gateway.

Receiving news of the MBE in June this year was a “humbling” experience. “It’s just something I never would have dreamed of,” the 85-year-old added. “But it’s [Gateway leader] Thomas Haighton who’s really the driving force behind the club.”

Paying tribute to Mr Montieth’s “outstanding contribution”, Carrickfergus Senior Gateway Club said: “He has fought tirelessly and selflessly for 40 years.”