Dawn is nominated for Pride of Britain 2021
Our founder Dawn McConnell has been personally nominated for Pride of Britain award for her charity work through Hope House.
Dawn is one of four finalists in the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain awards and has been recognised for the outstanding and inspirational fundraising and voluntary work that she has carried out for Hope House.
Following her own experience with her husband Roy’s cancer diagnosis, Dawn recognised how valuable and beneficial a short break away was to both a cancer patient and their carers and has worked tirelessly to build the infrastructure to provide this type of break to others.
Following continuous fundraising, Dawn and Roy raised enough money to start Hope House in October 2013. The first property was a rented sea-front apartment and through the fundraising efforts of Dawn and many others, the charity were able to purchase the current property at Brown’s Bay, Islandmagee.
Dawn says ‘It’s absolutely everything to me. I live, eat and sleep Hope House’ and all those who have met Dawn will know this is no exaggeration! Dawn is committed to giving people ‘hope to cope’ and to support them as much as she can. Each individual who visits Hope House is inspired not only by the scenery and the surroundings but also by Dawn who is ever upbeat and encouraging.
Dawn never wishes to take any credit for herself and always likes to humbly remind everyone that she is part of a team, to whom she is grateful to.
I am so thankful and grateful to them all for giving up so many hours of their free time voluntarily to keep the wheel rolling at Hope House. I am only a small cog, I could not do it without them.
Dawn is also indebeted to all the Hope Heroes who have supported the charity through their fundraising enabling Hope House to continue to provide this invaluable service to the community.
We would like to congratulate Dawn on this well-deserved achievement!