Sarah Travers Surprises People Like 'U

Earlier this year Sarah Travers, host of UTV’s The Magazine, asked viewers across Northern Ireland to nominate anyone they felt deserved a People Like You award.

The People Like You Award is about recognising some of Northern Ireland’s most hard-working and inspiring residents who make a significant difference to their community

Sarah received lots of nominations for local heroes and throughout the year has travelled far and wide to surprise the recipients.

Presenting awards to these deserving individuals has involved more than a few memorable and heart-warming moments for Sarah and The Magazine team.

In Coleraine, Sarah met Leona Rankin who set up the ‘Boom Foundation’ in memory of her late husband Philip who passed away from Sarcoma cancer in 2013. In its first year, the foundation raised more than £70,000 to support Northern Ireland patients diagnosed with Sarcoma, the soft tissue and bone cancer.

Sarah surprised Leona at the Boom Foundation’s sponsored ‘fire-walk’ event at Coleraine Rugby Club where Leona walked across burning embers in a bid to raise further funds for the charity.

Derry man Martin McCrossan who works for the local tourism office was surprised by Sarah during one of his charismatic guided tours of the Derry walls and was nominated by his daughter Charlene for fundraising over £150,000 for the local Foyle Hospice. Even Derry’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Brenda Stevenson, popped along to meet Martin and witness him receiving his award.

Sarah surprised Richhill Lollipop Lady who acts as the school crossing patrol for Millington Primary School in Portadown. Iris McAlister, who has safeguarded pupils crossing the road for almost 20 years, was left speechless when Sarah showed up to work recently to present her with her award.

In Co Down, Sarah surprised care assistant Pauline Russell from Bangor who was nominated for her voluntary work with St John’s Ambulance. Pauline has clocked up an incredible 3,000 hours helping young cadets train for a future in first aid. Pauline’s husband and two young sons joined Sarah in presenting an emotional Pauline with her accolade.  

Sarah Travers said:

“I have met so many incredible people through People Like You and I have had the opportunity to share their wonderful stories with UTV viewers. It is always very touching to witness the reaction of the nominee and the emotion from friends and family when they see their loved one receive their award.”

“This is a real celebration of all the fantastic work ordinary people do across Northern Ireland and I am so looking forward to surprising new unsuspecting faces in the next few weeks.”

Sarah still has lots of People Like You awards to present including travelling to meet one local hero who runs a cross community tea dance three times a week giving the elderly participants not only an enjoyable day out but a warm healthy meal.

As the series continues The Magazine will feature more People Like You nominees on Mondays at 8pm on UTV throughout December before concluding ahead of Christmas.