Artigarvan Primary School's Elizabeth named 'School Crossing Patrol Person of the Year'

ARTIGARVAN Primary School's Elizabeth Jack has been named 'School Crossing Patrol Person of the Year'.

Elizabeth was nominated for the accolade at the Northern Ireland Road Safety Awards in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the school community.

The eleventh annual awards ceremony took place on Friday, November 21, in the beautiful grounds of Belfast Castle, where outstanding individuals and organisations were honoured for their exceptional contributions to road safety across Northern Ireland.

In awarding the title, the judging panel celebrated her dedication and the positive impact she has made on the busy school crossings.

Presenting Elizabeth with her award, host Frank Mitchell described her as the "perfect" school crossing patrol person.

"This fabulous lady is more than a lollipop person," he said. "She is without doubt s reassuring presence who keeps the children of Artigarvan Primary School safe every single day, managing a dangerous road.

"It's a dangerous crossing. It's used by almost all the pupils.

"She brings calm, confidence and care, no matter the weather.

"She knows every child, she supports anxious parents, and she turns what is a potentially risky crossing into a safe, daily routine.

"She's dedicated, she's warm, she's welcoming, she's everything we expect in the perfect lollipop person."

There were smiles all around at the school when Elizabeth returned with her award, with pupils and staff gathering to celebrate a remarkable lady who brings so much joy.

Extending congratulations, a school spokesperson added: "We are delighted that the judges picked Elizabeth to be the overall winner.

"We are so proud of the work she does everyday on the busy road at our school.

"Congratulations Elizabeth."

Organised by Road Safe NI Charity in partnership with CRASH Services, NI's leading accident management company, the awards recognise the dedication, innovation and commitment of those working tirelessly to save lives and reduce collisions on our roads.

More than 100 invited guests, including Minister for Infrastructure, Liz Kimmins, attended the ceremony, where 12 awards were presented across a wide range of sectors, including education, emergency services, voluntary and community organisations, business and the public sector.

Davy Jackson, chair of Road Safe NI Charity, said: "Once again, we had a fantastic response to the awards, with a record number of nominations received this year.

"We are proud to recognise the individuals and groups who go the extra mile to promote road safety in their schools, communities, and workplaces.

"We also extend our sincere thanks to our sponsors, whose continued support allows us to celebrate this vital work.

"The winning entries were outstanding, demonstrating great commitment and fresh, innovative approaches.

"Their achievements are inspiring, and there is no doubt that their efforts are helping to save lives on our roads.”

Paula Mahoney, marketing director at CRASH Services, added: "We are proud to support the prestigious Northern Ireland Road Safety Awards once again, celebrating those who make a real and lasting impact on road safety.

"Today we recognised an exceptional group of winners whose dedication and hard work are helping to keep road users safe across the region.

"Their commitment is truly inspiring. As we reflect on their achievements, it’s important to remember that road safety is everyone’s responsibility.

"Whether driving, walking or cycling, we all have a part to play in making safer choices every day. Together, we can work towards safer roads for all.”