Fermanagh Rural Lift community transport drivers, Roland Livingstone and Gerald Calgie have successfully competed in the NI MiDAS Community Driver of the Year competition and are now through to the semi-finals.

The Annual MiDAS competition, which was launched by the Community Transport Association (CTA), acknowledges the dedication and skill of community drivers across Northern Ireland. Between May and September 2007, the Association has run regional heats. Roland and Gerald are through to the finals of the competition so the two Fermanagh drivers will now go head to head.

The final, which will take place in Belfast next month, will review community driving in an urban area.

Bryan Myles, CTA Northern Ireland Director, said the Association was delighted to host the competition: "The MiDAS Community Driver of the Year competition is a great way to recognise the commitment and service provided by over 5,000 community drivers in Northern Ireland. They provide a real lifeline to all NI Community Transport members, enabling them to access health, social and educational appointments."

He congratulated Rural Lift.

This is the first time in the history of the competition that one Community Transport provider has had two drivers through to the final."

Anita Flanagan, the Manager of Rural Lift, congratulated Roland and Gerald and wished them great success in the competition.

"All Rural Lift drivers performed really well in this year's competition. I was delighted to learn that both Roland and Gerald made it through to the final stage.

"I would like to let them know that we are all rooting for them!"

Roland Livingstone is the current Northern Ireland MiDAS Driver of the Year, having won the trophy in 2006. Gerald was joint second in 2006. While both men hope to win, each said they would be delighted to see the other victorious.

As Roland put it: "Winning the Ni MiDAS Driver of the Year is wonderful. With two drivers in the finals, one of us will make it the whole way."