"I have a slight hesitation on spending £12k to do so, and I just want to make sure it represents value for money."
A Lisburn group of young adults with disabilities 'Live Life' are to be recognised at a grand civic reception as the first such volunteers to win the King's Award.
The prestigious award is also to be presented to Ballymacash Sport Academy for services promoting health, inclusion, and active living for people of all ages.
Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council (LCCC) agreed this week to host two separate celebrations though some concerns were raised over an estimated £12k price tag.
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LCCC Mayor Amanda Grehan (Alliance) said: "I would just like to say in my year of inclusivity for disability, that Live Life are the first ever young adults with disabilities in the whole of the UK to receive the King's Award for volunteering.
"So, this award is not for the staff, it is for the young participants who are out doing such things as litter picking, growing vegetables for the homeless and even woollen hats for babies at the Royal hospital.
"It is also a great achievement for Ballymacash Sports Academy."
Lisburn North UUP councillor Nicholas said: "The two organisations are an absolute credit to our area and we absolutely ought to share and facilitate a celebration.
"I have a slight hesitation on spending £12k to do so, and I just want to make sure it represents value for money.
"In terms of setting a precedent, I would hate for any other organisations in previous years in the area who got the award, that they would have their noses point out of joint that we didn't do the same thing."
Chief executive David Burns outlined: "The budget would be at a cost of £30 a head for 200 people, mostly on catering with elected members and officers with the rest mostly made up of the groups' volunteers.
"Hence I suggest the funding comes from the civic budget.
"If it was to be a full civic guest list you would probably need to double the budget.
"As far as precedent goes, this is a matter for elected members to decide."
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) understands the Co Antrim Lord Lieutenant Mr David McCorkell and a Royal representative will attend formal presentations of the King's Award in February/March in Lisburn.
The King's Award is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.
Live Life Well-Being Centre and Social Enterprises was developed in 2021 to provide a high-quality day opportunity programme for young adults aged 19 to 35 years, with severe learning difficulties, in the Greater Lisburn area.
Live Life director of services Philip Reain-Adair said: "I am delighted that our participant's volunteering work has been recognised.
"Participants are involved in community volunteering on a weekly basis, their work includes knitting 100s of small woollen hats for the Royal Children's Hospital Neo Natal Unit, bucket collecting for many local charities, working in local foodbanks and providing entertainment and social interaction to nursing home residents.
"I wish to pay tribute to their hard work and to making a meaningful contribution in their local community."
In addition, two representatives from Live Life will attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in May and June 2026, along with other recipients of this year's award.
Ballymacash Sports Academy (BSA) was the first recipient of the council's Community Investment Fund (CIF).
Alongside high-quality sporting and leisure facilities, BSA delivers community wellbeing programmes, fitness initiatives,and social groups for older residents
Chairman of Ballymacash Sports Academy Philip Trimble said:"This is a tremendous achievement and a real honour for everyone connected with Ballymacash Sports Academy.
"From our Ballymacash Rangers FC coaches to our fantastic craft club members, and through our partnerships with schools and community clubs, we are immensely proud of the collective effort that has brought us here.
"To have our vision, commitment and hard work recognised by His Majesty The King is truly remarkable, and we are absolutely delighted."