Gail to receive BEM for voluntary services in Clogher Valley

GAIL Boyd has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for voluntary services to the community in the Clogher Valley.

A former Deputy Lieutenant for Co Tyrone, Gail is a Trustee of Clogher Valley Playgroup and has played a vital role in helping to improve the lives of others through her tireless work with various charities.

A native of Belfast, Gail moved to Clogher after marrying Edwin Boyd (of Clogher Mart). They have five children and nine grandchildren.

Gail has been involved with Clogher Valley Playgroup since its inception and has held the role of chair and director of the Board of Trustees and Management Committee since the early 1980s.

She has worked tirelessly with Early Years to develop the Clogher Union Workhouse Site to build a centre of excellence to cater for all aspects of childcare and pre-school, after school care and community needs.

This is a much needed facility and helps and supports existing, rather limited family and uncoordinated childcare provision which is very much lacking in the Clogher Valley area.

Her selfless nature naturally guided her to help charities and she has been supporting Cancer Fund for Children (CFC) since 2011.

Through team work, she has helped raise over £500,000 and through a desire to inspire, she has encouraged many others to become involved.

As an ambassador, she continually promotes the work of CFC which involves encouraging community awareness and support through talks, school visitations, various fund-raising efforts – extreme treks far and near to collecting 20ps and zip-lining across the River Lagan to name but a few!

She also volunteers with Tear Fund, where she empowers people to alleviate poverty in helping the poor to help themselves.

In 2017, Gail was privileged to have the opportunity to visit Rwanda and Uganda as part of a fact-finding group of four to report back on the transformation that has taken place through the support of Tear Fund. She describes this as a "humbling and emotional experience".

Gail has also supported NI Hospice, Air Ambulance and The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.

With a qualification in fashion design and textiles after graduating from the Art College in Belfast, Gail refused two offers of a teaching career and instead joined the family business, the Creighton Group (CG) – a motor repair and recovery centre and retail complex, located in South Belfast.

Today she is still actively involved in the business and travels daily to Belfast or Markethill.

"Within my business I have built up a strong relationship with the local community and have developed great support and involvement," she said.

"The company supports many local events and charities. I encourage the staff to become community focused and to deliver a good customer service. My most recent initiative is the Trussel Trust foodbank.

"I have been encouraged by the Hub to volunteer in the foodbank, helping to make up parcels at the centre to experience the amazing work that the Trust does."