Armagh’s Willie Nugent has been honoured with recognition for a lifetime of fundraising
On Thursday October 3, Armagh I organised a surprise get-together at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh to celebrate one of the city’s most dedicated fundraisers.
Thanks to Father Barry’s generosity, the Cathedral doors were opened to Willie’s friends and family, where all waited with bated breath on his arrival.
Willie, who has been fundraising for various charities for more than 50 years, had absolutely no idea he was about to be presented with Armagh I’s Lifetime Achievement Award for 2025.
He had been lured to the Cathedral under the premise that he would be participating in a cheque presentation with Evora Hospice, the beneficiaries of his last charity cycle.
And, while we didn’t get to the cheque presentation, Niall from Evora also attended the Cathedral to see Willie presented with his award.
In his last cycle – from Armagh to Newry – Willie raised a total of £2,100 for the Hospice.
He will now also shortly release his seventh charity children’s Christmas book in the coming weeks.
Two years ago, Willie was also recognised for his efforts by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak with his daily Points of Light award.
He was the 2,229th recipient of the award, which was first launched in April 2014 to recognise outstanding individuals making a positive change within their community and inspiring others.
Fun-loving by nature, Willie’s fundraisers are never short of imagination.
One of his most memorable attempts occurred 35 years ago, when he dressed as Bram Stoker’s Dracula and lay in a coffin in an Armagh shop window for seven hours.
He also walked backwards for 83 miles and crawled lap after lap around the Mall.
And, at 77-years-of-age he has no plans to stop any time soon!
