Diocesan News10 Mar 16

‘Woman of the Year’ Honour for St Augustine’s, Londonderry, Member

A member of St Augustine’s Church in Londonderry is celebrating after being named 2016 Woman of the Year in Derry–Londonderry for her inspirational role in providing support and friendship to parents across the Derry City and Strabane District Council area.

Julie–Ann Coll was acknowledged for her role in establishing a local branch of Life After Loss, a Lisburn–based charity which supports parents affected by the loss of a child. The Tullyally woman received her award from the district’s Mayor, Councillor Elisha McCallion, at a ceremony at the City Hotel.

Julie–Ann speaks from experience. Eleven years ago her son, Mark William Ian, was delivered at 22 weeks and did not survive. Julie–Ann decided to get involved in Life After Loss around the time the family would have been celebrating Mark’s 10th birthday.

The Mayor, Councillor Elisha McCallion, described Julie–Ann as a truly inspirational woman who – despite her own grief and trauma at losing a child – had done so much to offer support and help to other families devastated by the loss of a baby. “She has provided parents across the region with the chance to talk to one another, share their stories and their grief, and to find comfort from one another. Her commitment to the Life After Loss charity and helping others, has not gone unnoticed and I am delighted that her energy and positivity has been formally acknowledged.”

Julie–Ann called at St Augustine’s to show off her trophy to the Rector, Rev Malcolm Ferry, who says her Woman of the Year award was richly deserved. “Julie–Ann’s been an active and enthusiastic member of ‘the Wee Church on the Walls’ since she was born. Only last November, we baptised her son Jayden here. She has done so much to encourage families to take part in worship here at St Augustine’s, and her work with Life After Loss is incredibly valuable to bereaved families. Julie–Ann is an inspirational young woman – both in her church and in her community – and the congregation here are delighted at her good news. Her accolade is richly deserved.”

The Rector of St Augustine’s, Londonderry, Rev Malcolm Ferry, with lifelong church member Julie–Ann Coll, who has been named ‘2016 Woman of the Year’ in Derry City and Strabane District (photo by Paul McFadden).