SOS Bus NI CEO Joe Hyland awarded MBE
SOS Bus NI Chief Executive, Joe Hyland, has been awarded an MBE for Services to the Community in Northern Ireland in this year's Birthday Honours List
Joe has worked consistently and selflessly with a number of community and voluntary organisations for 14 years, often being seen to go the extra mile to help vulnerable people on the streets on Belfast. He has been an inspiration and example to hundreds of volunteers, colleagues, friends and family alike.
The father of three is currently CEO of SOS Bus NI, a charity with a vision to inspire hope and build better futures for everyone. Since Joe set up the charity in 2007, SOS Bus NI has engaged with over 221,000 people, whilst in-depth caring and medical support has been provided to over 7,500 individuals and their services have been proven to have saved many lives. Joe has also played an instrumental role in setting up and supporting other programmes including Outreach NI, Night Time Volunteer Steering Group and The Smiles Foundation.
When asked why he does the work that he does, Joe said, “Because caring for people is simply the right thing to do.”
Joe Hyland, MBE says:
"I care very much about the community here in Northern Ireland and am pleased to be able to give my time and lend support to a number of wonderful organisations that do such valuable work.
My wife Jackie and my family have been so supportive and created the space for me to do this work. I am extremely grateful to my friends and volunteers for providing me with a platform to build support for vulnerable people on the streets of Belfast. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the countless volunteers who have supported me along the way: without them this would not have been possible.
I am immensely humbled by this award and consider it to be a great privilege to be honoured in this way by Her Majesty the Queen."
Maurice Brooks, SOS Bus NI Chairman says:
"This is a tremendous accolade and fitting recognition of the work Joe has done with local voluntary groups for many years.
He is a recognised figure in the night time economy and voluntary circles and I know I speak for many people when I say how delighted we are that he has been given this award."
The dedicated charity figure is one of nearly 100 people from Northern Ireland receiving honours from the Queen.
For more information on SOS Bus NI and the services it provides visit www.sosbusni.com or contact 02890664505.
