By Lisa Ramsden
GARY Nicolas will remember his grandson’s Holy Communion, on the 2nd of May, for more reasons than one.
Having returned from the day’s celebrations, he opened a rather official looking letter and soon realised it wasn’t just your run of the mill post.
He said he is deeply honoured to have been awarded an MBE, for not just his many years of service to emergency search and rescue, but also his work with adults with special needs and disabilities.
London-born Gary, who set up home with his wife Kate in her native Ballymartin many years ago, has been awarded an MBE to mark his lengthy service with Kilkeel Coastguard and then, in more recent years, his involvement in helping establish the Community Rescue Service, and subsequently its South Down branch, as well as his involvement with Kilkeel charity Mourne Stimulus.
He said he is “astonished to have been chosen,” and proud and humbled in equal measure.
“I opened this unusual looking letter, and thought ‘What’s this all about?’
“I called Kate over and she started to read the text, and she said to me, ‘I think you’ve been awarded an MBE!’
“I read it again and again, and I was actually quite shocked.”
Gary, who did not tell anyone bar Kate, until last Friday night, said he had looked forward to being able to share his good news with his children and siblings.
“We’re just ordinary folk, things like this go to people who are famous, not someone like me.”
Admitting he is “astonished, but also thrilled,” Gary said he had no inkling of who put him forward for the accolade.
The MBE acknowledged Gary’s involvement with Kilkeel Coastguard, which he joined in 1986, and within a year was undergoing the training to be its head officer.
Having left in March 2007, Gary was then one of the three men who went on to establish Community Rescue Service (CRS), the first organisation of its kind in the province.
Gary went on to found the local division of the service, which is operated by volunteers from across Northern Ireland.
Now he holds the rank of Honorary District Commander and said that whilst “not as operational as I used to be,” he is now heavily involved in training, and public relations, engaging with the community and helping promote the charity’s work.
Not to rest on his laurels, Gary was approached to join the Mourne Stimulus Board of Directors three years ago, and within a month of joining he had taken on the role of its vice-chair, as well as being heavily involved in the team driving forward the day centre’s sensory garden project.
Gary said the work of CRS and Mourne Stimulus are “massive team efforts” and this is very important to him.
He added that he loves being able to try and help others with his hands-on roles.
He also praised the “life-changing” work of the Mourne Stimulus Day Centre.
“It really is like a family. You go in there and see the service users gaining so much and that makes it all worthwhile.”
He said his sense of pride at being given this award is “immense”, adding that whilst “astonished” he is “most humbly grateful for this prestigious honour”.
He said: “I would like to thank all those involved in my nomination.
“I will wear this honour with immense pride, not only for me, but for the pride of the men and women of the organisations to which I have given my time.”
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