A VOLUNTEER at the Downpatrick and County Down Railway is one of just four people from across the UK and Ireland to be shortlisted for a prestigious award. Jonathan King has been praised for his “unwavering dedication” and for the wide range of roles he carries out. He helped not only the railway but businesses across Downpatrick with flood defences during the recent flooding.
He also helped to patrol the local railway at night when it became the target for vandalism during the pandemic, in the summer of 2020. And Jonathan’s considerable contribution also includes hands-on restoration work and showing visitors around the railway. It has been announced he is a contender in the prestigious Lord Faulkner Young Volunteer Award category of the Heritage Railway Association’s 2024 annual awards. Robert Gardiner, the chairman of the Downpatrick and County Down Railway (DCDR), said he was thrilled to hear the news. “Jonathan’s exceptional contributions to the railway read like the CV of someone much older,” Robert said. “His remarkable tenacity, generosity, and dedication make him a standout team player, always willing to assist colleagues across various departments, regardless of the task’s nature or complexity.”
Jonathan, now 24 years old, has been a volunteer at DCDR since he was in his early teens. In January of this year, he was elected onto the railway’s Board of Directors at the age of 23. He carries out his railway duties, both administrative and on-the-ground, whilst also studying a Law Degree at Trinity, regularly travelling back and forth between Downpatrick and Dublin. Mr Gardiner highlighted the invaluable part Jonathan plays in the success of the heritage railway, including during recent challenging times. “In the face of the recent floods, Jonathan played a pivotal role in safeguarding the railway,” Robert said. “Acting as a spokesperson for DCDR in the local and national media, he not only monitored floodwaters when others couldn’t but also assisted local businesses in removing stock from flooded shops, purchasing sandbags from his own pocket.” He also recognised Jonathan’s exemplary efforts during the summer of 2020. “In the challenging summer of 2020, amid a wave of vandalism and the ongoing Covid pandemic, Jonathan went above and beyond by serving as a night watchman, patrolling the DCDR site until the early hours. “His tireless initiative is evident in his leadership of projects previously mentioned, and additionally, he has organised and represented the DCDR at events across Ireland, acting as a dedicated ambassador and expanding the railway’s reach to a broader audience, putting the DCDR back on the tourist map after the period of enforced closure over Covid. “His role as a social media admin and website editor since 2018 further demonstrates his commitment to promoting DCDR online.” He continued: “Jonathan’s dedication extends to hands-on restoration work, notably devoting significant time and effort to restoring the 80 class railcar set, showcasing his attention to detail and commitment to preserving historical authenticity”.
Beyond his behind-the-scenes efforts, Jonathan excels as a renowned tour guide at DCDR, hosting tour groups and high-profile visitors alike. “His ability to establish useful connections for DCDR has significantly contributed to the railway’s visibility and network,” Robert added. Jonathan spoke about how much he enjoys being involved in the local heritage railway. “I’m extremely grateful to my colleagues for nominating me for this prestigious award,” he said. “Joining DCDR was the best decision I’ve ever made. “Since a young age, it’s given me countless opportunities to not only gain unique skills, ranging from steam locomotive engineering to guiding tours of our museum, but I’ve met people and made lifelong friends from countless different walks of life.” Mr Gardiner added: “In conclusion, Jonathan’s multifaceted contributions, ranging from operational and restoration work to community engagement and legal support, make him a standout candidate for the Young Volunteer of the Year award. “His unwavering dedication, exemplary leadership, and extensive skill set – but also totally without any expectation of reward or thanks – have not only propelled DCDR forward but have also left an indelible mark on the Downpatrick and County Down Railway community and we wish him every success at the awards ceremony in February.”
The shortlist for the Lord Faulkner Young Volunteer Award was curated by a panel of 14 experts, chaired by National Railway Museum senior curator Anthony Coulls. The prestigious Heritage Railway Association’s 2024 annual awards ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Hotel Metropole in Brighton on Saturday 10 February 2024.