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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Orlaith Clinton

St John Ambulance tributes to member Gráinne O'Neill who was "the light of the room"

Tributes have been paid to a Belfast volunteer who "was the light of the room" at her ambulance station.

Gráinne O'Neill, was a serving volunteer with the West Belfast Ambulance Unit, St John Ambulance. Her death leaving colleagues and friends devastated.

On Tuesday, Gráinne's unit shared their memories of a "much esteemed, loved and cherished member".

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They said: "As an organisation we are completely devastated to learn of the untimely passing of our much esteemed, loved and cherished member Gráinne O’Neill.

"Gráinne, an active and serving volunteer with our West Belfast Ambulance Unit served for many years as a volunteer Emergency Ambulance Crew member. Walking into the ambulance station for her Tuesday evening Unit Training, Gráinne was the light of the room. She brought love, charisma, charm and friendship to everyone she met and worked with.

"Our dearest sympathy, prayers and thoughts go to her family at this devastating time, especially to her son Kevin whom she adored; also a volunteer with our West Belfast Ambulance Unit. May She Rest In Peace."

St John Ambulance Bangor, who knew Gráinne, also paid tribute to their fellow member, describing her presence as "warm and friendly".

"We are so saddened this evening to hear of the unexpected death of one of our fellow volunteers, a member of West Belfast Ambulance Unit; Gráinne O’Neill," they added.

"Gráinne always greeted our crews with a friendly, warm and loving smile as she stepped out of her ambulance at the various motorbike tracks on those blustery Saturday mornings. We are absolutely heartbroken for our friends in West Belfast Ambulance Unit, especially her much loved son Kevin, who she adored and idolised.

"West, please remember that we are here - if there is anything at all that we can do, just ask."

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