01/10/2026
If anyone is ever in need, George McCall is there, sleeves rolled up. He is a well-known face in the farming community to which he has given his time freely, supporting the Salers Society, organising the Armagh County Agricultural Show, and helping his fellow farmers in any way he can.
In 2014, George himself faced a terrifying ordeal, when a farm accident left his life hanging in the balance. Thankfully, he survived and recovered well, but soon he faced another challenge, when a close family member was diagnosed with cancer.
Again, the illness was overcome and, spurred on by gratitude, George quickly turned his attention to giving something back and raised an extraordinary £67,465 for Friends of the Cancer Centre. Already, he’s planning his next fundraising venture, thinking about what he can do in his signature selfless style.
This year, George was named Unsung Hero winner at the Belfast Telegraph Spirit of NI Awards, in partnership with Ulster Bank.
When he was told he'd won, his reaction summed him up perfectly: he was "taken aback that anybody thought of me."
Read more about this year's winners:
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/events/spirit-of-ni-awards-2026-brave-olympian-survivor-and-bob-geldof-among-winners-at-gala-celebration-of-nis-heroes/a/161648756.html