A CO Derry sports coach has been recognised for his exceptional volunteering contribution to both the Special Olympics and the GAA.
Brian McGuigan from Dungiven has won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 'Unsung Hero Award' for Northern Ireland.
The 37-year-old's volunteering journey with Special Olympics began in 2006 at the Irish games in Belfast.
He then went on to volunteer at multiple fundraising and sporting events, including the Special Olympics Games at Regional, Ireland and World levels.
In the last three years, he has also helped paved the way to open up two Special Olympics young athlete clubs, Titanic Tigers, based in Belfast, and more recently, Oakleaf Lions in Dungiven.
Speaking about the award, Mr McGuigan said he was the "lucky one" as he gets to "spend a few hours each week with my heroes, the athletes, their families and my fellow volunteers".
"It’s a huge team effort and the clubs are like an extended family," he said.
"I am very humbled to receive this award, and hope that it will encourage more people from across Northern Ireland to find out how they can get involved with their local Special Olympics Athletes Club".
Shaun Cassidy, regional director of Special Olympics, described Mr McGuigan as a "valued member of our volunteer team".
"He’s a true ambassador for the charity and without our volunteers, we would be unable to support the children and adults living with an intellectual disability across Northern Ireland who rely on their clubs for routine, fitness, physical and mental health training and tools," he said.
