Spirit of NI winner turns her attention to lough crisis after being named our Environmental Hero

The judges at last year’s Sunday Life Spirit of Northern Ireland Awards, in partnership with Ulster Bank, thought Ruby was a gem because of her dedication to nature.

She was crowned our Environmental Hero for her commitment to protecting habitats through her work with the RSPB (Royal Society for Protection of Birds), as well as volunteering to clean beaches and rescue seals as a member of the Northern Ireland branch of Surfers Against Sewage.

Ruby’s passion shows no sign of abating, as we found when we caught up with her a year after the awards ceremony.

She has Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir in her sights as she adds her voice to the calls to solve Lough Neagh’s toxic algae crisis.

“I’m doing lots of environmental campaigning and lots of policy and advocacy, around the situation with Lough Neagh especially,” Ruby said.

“We’re going to meet the agriculture and environment minister in a few weeks to try and see if we can get some action and get something to happen.

“I know he’s been talking to people, but this will be the first time environmental groups have met with him.

“It’s good that it’s somebody from the Alliance Party. Generally speaking, they are more progressive in their thinking around the environment.”

The activist and her partner Craig have also been working on developing their farm, which lies between Portglenone and Rasharkin.

Ruby explained: “We’re doing more and more to the farm and kind of establishing a community group. Last week we planted 300 trees with volunteers.

“We’re taking it on and doing a few nature-friendly things here and there to see if we can bring some wildlife back.”

If that’s not enough, Ruby is also is publishing a book with Blackstaff Press about the time she lived on Rathlin Island, what it taught her and the reality of species loss.

“I’ve been doing all sorts of campaigning for wider nature and climate crisis,” she said.

“I’ve been writing this book since 2022, but it’s coming out this summer, which is really exciting.”

Ruby won the Environmental Hero category — now rebranded to Eco Champion — after highlighting issues she believed were not getting the attention they deserved.

“Northern Ireland is ranked 12th worst (in the world) for biodiversity loss,” she said.

“Puffins are actually predicted to disappear from our shores by the end of the century if we don’t act, and all seabirds are at major risk of decline.

“I feel that it’s really important to be a prominent voice speaking up about the issues affecting our oceans, from sewage pollution to climate change and everything in between.

“Over 50 per cent of our biodiversity in Northern Ireland is found under our waters, (an environment) which is completely out of mind and out of sight, so we’re trying to bring that world to people.

“I work as a marine mammal medic in my spare time, and from disentangling seabirds out of fishing gear to seals that have ingested plastic, there are so many things affecting marine wildlife, and we need more protection for them.

“We also need people to do their part because so much of this is in our hands.

“It’s about getting people to feel empowered about their local green and blue spaces and changing something in their life that maybe helps reduce carbon emissions or helps reduce litter on beaches.”

Ruby said it was special to celebrate winning the award — presented by Coronation Street stars Chanique Sterling-Brown and Michael Condron — alongside Craig and her mum Sarah.

She added: “I had an amazing night. I’m usually in waterproofs, so having an opportunity to get that glamorous was really interesting and not very normal for me.

“Having the opportunity to take my mum somewhere really nice was great because she has a health condition and it was just nice to take her on a very fun night out.

“Just hearing everybody’s stories... never mind winning the award, hearing everybody else’s very incredible and inspiring stories was really lovely. I remember crying at least three times.”

For this year’s awards, we are pleased to welcome Metcollect as the sponsor of our new Eco Champion category.

Director Geoff Angus told Sunday Life: “As a company at the forefront of the circular economy who take pride in working with businesses to promote sustainable and cost-effective management of their waste, we were delighted when we were invited to sponsor the Eco Champion award.

“The need for all of us to focus on our environmental impacts has accelerated in the face of the ever more obvious changes to our global climate and the human cost of this.

“We celebrate individuals and companies who, like Metcollect, are at the forefront of driving positive environmental change.

“We celebrate all those making a difference and are honoured to contribute to helping recognise champions of the environment.”

The Sunday Life Spirit of Northern Ireland Awards, in partnership with Ulster Bank, seeks out and celebrates the unsung heroes, the people who have made a difference to the lives of others with no thought of reward.

This year’s awards, hosted by UTV’s Pamela Ballantine and Cool FM presenter Pete Snodden, will be held at the Culloden Resort and Spa on Friday, June 14.

Email your nomination to spiritofniawards@sundaylife.co.uk with an explanation of why you think they deserve to be recognised.

Alternatively, you can post nominations to Sunday Life Spirit of Northern Ireland Awards, 33 Clarendon Road, Belfast BT1 3BG.

For more information on the work carried out by Ruby and colleagues, visit www.sas.org.uk or search for Surfers Against Sewage: Northern Ireland on Facebook

The categories

Charity Champion: Someone who has worked tirelessly for a charity or as a fundraiser for many years.

Spirit of Education: A truly inspirational teacher who has helped children and young people fulfil their potential.

Unsung Hero: Someone whose great deed or deeds have previously gone unnoticed but who has made a major contribution to your life or to your community.

Caring Spirit: A person who has dedicated their time to caring for a friend or family member.

Young Carer: A young person who has dedicated their time to caring for a friend or family member.

Spirit of Youth: Someone under the age of 18 who should be recognised for their special achievements.

Spirit of Sport: Someone who has made an exceptional contribution to sport over a number of years.

999 Hero: A member of the emergency services who has gone above and beyond the call of duty in their job.

Spirit of Health: A medical professional who has gone the extra mile to improve the health and wellbeing of their patients.

Overcoming Adversity: Someone who has overcome huge personal challenges, whether it is dealing with illness or disability or overcoming problems.

Eco Champion: Seeks to recognise an individual or community group that has gone the extra mile to care for and protect the local environment for future generations.

Community Hero: Someone who has made an outstanding contribution to their local community or neighbourhood.

Special Recognition: Someone who the judges feel represents the Spirit of NI by selflessly serving others and being an inspiration.