NI man Ronnie Andrews first to receive Royal British Legion honour for dedication to veterans

The 82-year-old from Lisburn was given the award for the 55 years he has dedicated to looking after the Legion community in his area.

Ronnie has played a major role in helping ex-servicemen and women in their quest to adjust to civilian life.

Over the past 55 years he shown his dedication by visiting the local hospitals and nursing homes every Sunday to see if anyone needs any help or support from the Legion.

Every Christmas morning he is part of a team who visit the Lagan Valley Hospital with gifts for the doctors and nurses to say a thank you for helping veterans during the year.

Sadly, that has changed this year due to Covid-19.

“I miss those visits. It’s a tough time, even tougher for those who aren’t getting visitors,” said Ronnie.

Of the award he said: “I’m over the moon. I had no idea it was coming, it took my breath away. It will be treasured.”

As a member of the Royal Ulster Rifles and the Royal Engineers in the 1970s, a friend of Ronnie’s suggested he joined the Legion.

Great grandfather Ronnie, who was a bus driver during the Troubles, said: “I was only there two months and I started doing the Poppies, going out to the schools. I’ve been going to the schools ever since.

“When I started first you were only lifting about £900, it was all coppers then. Now we’re up to about £78,000, it’s took a turn over the years.”

Reflecting on his time as a welfare worker with the Royal British Legion, Ronnie said: “It’s the people you meet, the enjoyment you get out of it.

“When I started I used to go around people’s houses who were unwell. You’d go in to see them and you’d have a talk and see what they needed. The biggest thing then was bags of coal, that’s all they asked for.

“When you saw some of the homes they’d have orange boxes for tables and chairs. That was in 1966.

“I’ve learnt a lot over the years. It’s something I’ve got in my heart and I just keep at it.

“The comradeship and leadership is very good where I am. I’ve lost a powerful lot of friends over the years, but I keep going and I’ve still got plenty of friends yet.”

Lisburn RBL President Raymond Corbett said: “Ronnie is a highly dedicated professional who knows how to motivate volunteers to strive for excellence.

“He is dynamic and powerful individual who possess the gift of being able to make complex subjects understandable.

“In spite of these formidable gifts, Ronnie is humble and approachable person who loves to share his extensive knowledge with others.”