A PROJECT that was started to give residents of local care homes something to smile about during lockdown has been named Community Champion of the Year (Group).

The Kindness Postbox is a community-focused project that aims to bring a little burst of happiness to those in our society today, and it was awarded top honours in the group category, sponsored by Encirc.

The project had humble beginnings, with local people encouraged to write cheerful letters to the elderly to counter the isolation of the Covid-19 pandemic.

And it continues to support the local community in new ways, with a new post box located at the local A&E department.

Local ladies, Nuala O'Toole and Wendy Kerr, were elated when they received the award from Gemma Martin and Anita Galligan, from Encirc.

"We are so shocked and stunned," Nuala said. "To be even considered in that room among all those people is just phenomenal, but to then hear our name called out? We were literally shaking!

"We have won awards before, and have even been recognised in London, but to be recognised in our own county is just so special."

She added: "We had humble beginnings, so to see us now go on to be named in this way is really such an honour.

"To be in that room with those guys who do so much, day and daily, is outrageous. We just came along for the tea!"