Liam Neeson awarded honorary membership of Ballymena Rotary Club

At the recent celebratory event in the Adair Arms marking the 80th Anniversary of the Rotary Club one of the highlights was the announcement that Honorary membership was being conferred on Liam Neeson.
Club President, Raymond Ruck, invited Past President Lynda Bell, Membership Chair for the Club, to share the news that Honorary Membership had been offered to one of Ballymena’s most famous sons.

In welcoming Liam to the Club, Lynda commented:
"Honorary membership is a very special award. It is offered in recognition of outstanding achievements over a long and distinguished career. In addition to numerous accolades in the film industry, Liam’s commitment to charitable causes, particularly UNICEF, embodies the very essence of Rotary – ‘Service above Self’. Liam has volunteered with UNICEF for over 20 years. As Goodwill Ambassador for the Charity, he visited Mozambique and, more recently, Jordan, to meet children affected by the Syrian crisis.

It was the Club’s view that no-one is more deserving of this honour than Liam Neeson and it feels privileged that Liam has accepted our invitation to become an Honorary Member."

Although unable to join the event, Liam very graciously sent a video message from his home in New York:

“I want to pass on my heartiest congratulations to the Rotary Club of Ballymena on this, your 80th Anniversary; 80 years of service to the community is a magnificent achievement.

“I pay tribute to those founding members who had the courage and vision to establish the Club in 1943, right in the middle of the Second World War. I commend your members today who share that same commitment to improve the lives and conditions of people in my great home town of Ballymena and across the world.

“I am deeply honoured to accept your invitation to become an honorary member and wish you continued success in the years ahead.”
Following this message, his Honorary Certificate and Rotary lapel pin were presented to Liam’s two sisters, Elizabeth Connaughton and Bernadette Sexton, who were present on the evening. The Honorary certificate, along with a photograph of Liam receiving the certificate will be on display at the Rotary Exhibition being held in the Braid during the first two weeks of October.
Rotary Ireland District Governor, Kenny Fisher PHF, was also present for this special occasion and he welcomed the Club’s decision to bestow its highest distinction on the celebrated Ballymena citizen in recognition of how his charitable work embodies the ideals of Rotary. The international Rotary community was delighted to welcome Liam Neeson to the organisation and would be proud to have him as an Honorary Member.