Niall Fitzduff was today announced the winner of the Northern Ireland category for this year's Beacon Prize. He was chosen by an independent panel of judges after the public nominated him for his outstanding contribution to charity.

Niall was chosen for his work with the Rural Community Network (RCN), a voluntary organisation established by local community organisations to articulate the voice of rural communities on issues relating to poverty, disadvantage and community development.

Niall worked with community groups to establish the Network in 1991 which today has a membership of almost 600 community and voluntary groups. The organisation has created a range of initiatives in areas such as the arts, housing, tourism, young people, and community infrastructure, and it operates at local, sub-regional and regional levels. As a result of the productive and innovative work undertaken by Niall and his team, local rural community development has increased significantly, voluntary sector outreach has improved, and strong development and cross-community support is available to local communities.

Niall's work has gained him great respect; in Northern Ireland his name has become synonymous with rural community development. In addition he has been praised for his tireless efforts to help overcome troubles in the country by working with local and rural communities at grassroots level.

Emily Stonor, Chief Executive of Beacon, said "We are delighted to award Niall the Beacon Prize for Northern Ireland.  He has made a huge difference to the lives of those living in rural communities, especially those most disadvantaged."

Niall added, "I am thrilled to get the Beacon Prize, not least because it will hopefully draw more attention to the needs of those living in rural communities in Northern Ireland." 

The Beacon Prize celebrates and raises the profile of charitable giving in the UK by giving recognition to those who have made a significant contribution to charity, whether through giving resources, time or specialist skills. Niall is one of the 2004 Beacon Prize winners, who also include Sir Bob Geldof and Jamie Oliver.

ENDS For further information please contact Jennifer Morgan on 020 7861 8609 or email jmorgan@bell-pottinger.co.uk. or Emily Stonor at Beacon on 020 7849 6550 or email emily.stonor@beaconfellowship.org.uk

Note to Editors Beacon Prize 2004

Niall Fitzduff for his contribution to rural community development in Northern Ireland

Prize Category: The Beacon Prize for Northern Ireland

For over 39 years Niall Fitzduff's leadership, creativity and strength of purpose have made a significant impact on rural community development, community relationships and peace building in Northern Ireland. Niall is the founder and director of the Rural Community Network (RCN). Conceived in 1991 it now has a membership of almost 600 community and voluntary groups and, as a result of its work, rural community development has increased significantly, voluntary sector outreach has improved, and there is strong community development and cross community support available at local levels.

In the 1960s Niall volunteered in Sicily and Cyprus and then as Field Officer with the Voluntary Services Bureau, Belfast.  From there he joined the Community Relations Commission as Community Development Officer for West Belfast. During the 1980's he worked in the craft of wood-turning and, in a voluntary capacity, helped establish an education project and a community development project in the local area. In 1989, he worked as a researcher on the Community Development Review group, looking at the shifts in community development in Northern Ireland over the previous 20 years. He worked for the Rural Action Project in its final year.

Conceived in 1991, the RCN seeks change by encouraging communities in rural areas to develop.  It has engaged in a wide range of programmes, including the arts, housing, tourism, young people, and community infrastructure at local, sub-regional and regional levels. Its aim is to provide an effective voice and support for rural communities, particularly those who are most disadvantaged.

Niall has been actively involved in trying to overcome sectarian differences and misunderstandings by working at grassroots level with local and rural communities. Thanks to his experience, he has been asked to contribute to various policy areas such as rural development, housing, human rights, equality, investing for health, the review of acute services and the regional development strategy.

In Northern Ireland Niall's name is synonymous with rural community development. He has demonstrated both leadership and innovation, developing and promoting good practice in the community and voluntary sector. His work has been instrumental to ensuring that the needs and voices of the most disadvantaged are heard by decision and policy makers.

"Niall is a man of great integrity and commitment to community development. He has translated his understanding of the needs of rural communities in Northern Ireland into action, and has been a driving force in ensuring that the needs of local communities are addressed by service providers and policy makers alike." Jan Keenan, Finance and HR Manager, Rural Community Network

Beacon Fellowship Charitable Trust

The Beacon Fellowship Charitable Trust (Beacon) seeks to promote an improved culture of giving, in which it is natural for those who are best able to contribute to charitable and social causes, to use their time, energy, ability and resources for the public good.

The Beacon Prize is an annual awards scheme designed to recognise and showcase individuals who have made exceptional contributions to charitable or social causes.  The winners are likely to have helped create or transform a charity, project or cause through providing leadership, skill, time or money.

www.beaconfellowship.org.uk for press releases and biographies of the winners

Beacon Prize Winners 2004:

• Sir Bob Geldof - Leadership
• Dr Mohammad Amran - Community Builder
• Rosalind Portman - New Initiatives
• Professor Peter Guthrie - Creative Giving
• Bruce Crowther - Creative Giving
• Brigadier Peter Stewart-Richardson - Risk Taking
• Jake Bonsall - Young Philanthropist
• Jamie Oliver - Most Generous Celebrity
• John Studzinsky - Most Generous Business Leader
• Francesca D'Arcy - Most Generous Young Person
• Major Richard Carr-Gomm - Lifetime Achievement
• Sigrid Rausing - Judges' Special Prize
• Dr Frederick Mulder - Judges' Special Prize Ann Cotton - Judges' Special Prize
• Dr Mora Scott - Scotland
• Sir David Rowe-Beddoe - Wales
• Dennis Humble - England
• Niall Fitzduff - Northern Ireland