Category: Awards
Volunteer Ireland Awards
Environmental & Animal Care Shortlist 2021
COVID-19 Shortlist 2021
Children & Youth Shortlist 2021
Campaigning and Activism Shortlist 2021
Arts, Culture and Festivals Shortlist 2021
Domestic Abuse Volunteer Named Volunteer of the Year
Domestic Abuse Volunteer Named Volunteer of the Year
Mary Fitzgerald from Co. Clare was today named Christine Buckley Volunteer of the Year at the Volunteer Ireland Awards. Over 1 million people in Ireland volunteer and these awards aim to say thank you for the hard work, dedication and impact of volunteers across the country.
From an early age Mary wanted to make a difference to people’s lives. In her teens, she was moved by the pictures on TV of the street children in India and she travelled to volunteer with Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta.
On her return, she was touched by the plight of Clare families fleeing from domestic abuse who were forced to stay overnight in the reception of the local Garda station. As there was nowhere in Clare for them to go, Mary took some of these women and children into her own home. Wanting to do something about the situation, she founded Clare Haven Services in 1993 which eventually led to the development of a 24 hour refuge for those escaping domestic abuse.
Mary is also passionate about helping young girls and boys identify abusive patterns early on in a relationship and in the 1990’s she delivered school workshops on healthy relationships. This has now become part of the current SPHE programme in secondary schools.
According to Volunteer Ireland CEO Nina Arwitz “Mary is a real inspiration and the embodiment of the volunteering spirit. She saw a need in her commnunity and took action to make a difference in people’s lives. All of our nominees and winners tonight have incredible stories to share and we are delighted to be able to thank and celebrate them tonight. Hopefully their stories will inspire others to get involved in their communities.”
Other winners on the night include Laura Brennan who, despite having been diagnosed with terminal cervical cancer at age 25, advocates tirelessly to raise awareness of the HPV vaccine. The award for Outstanding Group was taken home by Pullough Community Action Group who created a community shop in their village which is fundraised for and manned by volunteers.
This year we are pleased to partner with Healthy Ireland who share our ethos of volunteering contributing to healthy, vibrant communities. Kate O’Flaherty, Head of Healthy Ireland said
“We are delighted to partner with Volunteer Ireland on this year’s awards. Volunteering has been proven to have many health benefits to both the individual and local communities. Tonight’s nominees are a great example of volunteers getting involved in their communities and making them healthier, happier places to live.”
The eleventh Volunteer Ireland Awards took place on Friday 7th December in the Carlton Hotel, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15. Winners were announced in eleven categories along with the overall Christine Buckley Volunteer of the Year. The award is named after Christine Buckley who was a vigorous camapigner for those who suffered institutional abuse and sadly passed away in 2009. Volunteer Ireland is proud to honour the memory of such an inspirational volunteer.
Ends
Notes to Editor
Volunteer Ireland Awards Winners 2018
Volunteer of the Year
Mary Fitzgerald, Haven Horizons, Clare
Having been touched by the number of people fleeing domestic abuse in the Clare area, Mary Fitzgerald took some of the women and children into her own home and then set up Clare Haven Services to provide 24 hour refuge. Seeing the need, she also set up Haven Horizons to establish prevention programmes which address the lack of awareness and education around the underlying causes of domestic abuse.
Animals and Environment
Maeve O’Donoghue, Mullingar Dog Shelter, Westmeath
Maeve O’Donoghue set up and runs the Mullingar Dog Shelter Facebook page dedicated to reuniting dogs with the their owners and in some cases finding them new homes. The number of dogs put to sleep since Maeve began volunteering has reduced significantly.
Arts, Culture and Media
Louise Borre, Galway International Arts Festival (and others), Galway
Louise Borre is such a vital volunteer at the Galway International Arts Festival, she was promoted to Big Top Team Leader and had venue managers request her on their team. She is invaluable to the festival but still find time to volunteer for Cosáin Galway too.
Camapigning and Awareness Raising
Laura Brennan, HSE (and others), Clare
At just 25 years old and with a terminal cervical cancer diagnosis, Laura Brennan spends much of her time advocating in favour of the HPV vaccine, encouraging parents to protect their daughters from HPV and cervical cancer through various media engagements, public speaking opportunities and social media.
Children and Youth
David O’Hara, Solas Project, Kildare
Dave O’Hara is a mentor in Solas Project’s After School’s club for children aged 11 – 13. Dave is a volunteer of all trades – he is the handy man, the class clown, the extra pair of hands, the homework genius and also a great support to staff.
Community
Cormac Sertutxa, Irish Red Cross – Tralee Branch, Kerry
Cormac Sertutxa has taken on many roles since he joined the Irish Red Cross in Tralee four years ago. Through his role as Health and Safety Officer he develops supports and services to vulnerable people in his local community and has become one of the first people trained as a Psychological First Aid Facilitator.
Health and Disability
Mary Arrigan-Langan, Octopus Swimming Club, Galway
Mary Arrigan-Langan set up Octopus Swimming Club in 1981 for people with physical disabilities. The club allows people with a range of disabilities to become ‘water free’ and get the physical and emotional benefits from swimming and being part of a club.
Safety and Emergency Services
Nancy White, Lorrha Community Responder Group, Tipperary
Nancy White single handedly brought together a group of volunteers and set up the Lorrha Community Responder Group. She has organised an incredible number of CPR/AED training sessions across the area and acquired 5 new defibrillators for the community.
Social Work and Social Inclusion
Sheila Busher, Arklow Community Action Resource Centre, Wicklow
Sheila Busher has been helping her community for over 15 years. With Arklow Community Action Resource Centre, she currently organises two nights of the Foodcloud deliveries to over 160 families in need in the local area.
Sports and Recreation
Sinead Kelly, Raphoe Town Football Club, Donegal
In just 2 years, Sinead Kelly took Raphoe Town Football Club from less than 10 girls playing to over 30 players and a number of teams entered in the Donegal Women’s League. Sinead has positioned the club in the heart of the community, building strong and positive links with local schools and clubs and making an impact in local community initiatives.
Outstanding Group
Pullough Community Action Group – Community Shop Volunteers (8), Offaly
Pullough Community Action Group was set up by a group of 8 volunteers who felt the small rural village needed to have a shop where local people could buy basic groceries and meet their neighbours on a regular basis. The shop – which is manned by volunteers and brought new life to the village – is open seven days a week.
Volunteer Manager of the Year
Sara Murphy, Victim Support at Court (V-SAC), Dublin
Sara Murphy manages the Victim Support area in the Criminal Courts of Justice which deals mainly with murder and rape trials. Sara is known and loved by the court services, gardai and the legal professionals within the court. She is as much a friend as a manager to all the volunteers and other staff members of the service and ensures that everyone feels comfortable and confident with what they are doing.
‘Flying Nun’ Named Volunteer of the Year 2017
‘Flying Nun’ Named Volunteer of the Year 2017
Sister Patricia Wall Awarded for Her Dedication to the Sleiveardagh Community
Friday, 1st December 2017: Tipperary native Sister Patricia Wall has been named Volunteer of the Year at the Volunteer Ireland Awards for her dedication to the local community of Slieveardagh in Co. Tipperary.
Sister Patricia is known to many as the ‘flying nun’ for skydiving aged 75 to raise funds for Aware and her local family resource centre. Having battled depression herself while a missionary in New Zealand in the 1960s, she wanted to raise much needed funds and the ‘flying nun’ was born. While it is her skydive for which she is famous locally, her commitment to the local area of Slieveardagh stretches back to 1996.
Since her retirement as a school principal over twenty years ago, she has set up three organisations to support the local community and is still involved in the day to day running of all three. The Millennium Family Resource Centre, Ballingarry Community Development and Slieveardagh Rural Development all came together to nominate Sister Patricia for the impact she has had on the community. Just one of many examples, she was the driving force behind the development of a historical corner in the village of Ballingarry, turning a derelict site into a beautiful tourist attraction and historical monument.
Other winners on the night included Mohammed Rafique, a former Rohingya refugee, who gives his time to the Muslim community and local cricket club in Carlow. Originally from Rohingya, Rafique moved to Carlow in 2009 as part of a UNHCR resettlement programme. He also volunteers as the media coordinator/PRO for the European Rohingya Council who advocate for the human rights of Rohingya people globally.
This was an extra special edition of the Volunteer Ireland Awards as not only was it the tenth anniversary of the awards, they took place in Sligo to mark the end of Sligo’s designation as the European Volunteering Capital 2017.
Speaking at the Awards ceremony, Volunteer Ireland CEO Nina Arwitz said “Volunteers are the backbone of communities across Ireland. Sister Patricia exemplifies everything that is wonderful about the spirit of volunteering in Ireland, from her high adrenaline sky diving to her long-term commitment to the local community. And Mohammed Rafique demonstrates the huge contribution and positive impact that new arrivals to Ireland make, something we are proud to highlight. Volunteers are often unseen but the contribution they make to Irish society is immense. These awards give us a chance to say thank you and celebrate the difference volunteers make every day.”
Further information: Amy Woods, Volunteer Ireland: 085 717 9261
Notes to Editors:
- Photography
Photos are available on request. Please contact Amy Woods on [email protected] or 085 717 9261.
Category Winners
Animals & Environment
Suzanne O’Neill – Sean Walsh Memorial Park, Dublin
Arts, Culture & Media
Treasa Martin – Ballymun Local Community, Dublin
Campaigning & Awareness Raising
Mohammed Rafique – Rohingya Council, Carlow
Children & Youth
James Dempsey – Big Picture Youth Cafe, Dublin
Community
Patricia Lynch – Dunshaughlin Local Community, Meath
Health & Disability
Mae Murphy – Drumkill Day Care Centre, Monaghan
Safety and Emergency Services
Michael Cardiff – St. John Ambulance Ballyfermot, Dublin
Social Work and Social Inclusion
George and Mary Sugrue – Chernobyl Children International, Kerry
Sports & Recreation
Benny Grogan – WATCH Cycling Club, Louth
Outstanding Group
Ballyphehane & Togher Community Arts & Crafts Initiative, Cork
Volunteer Manager Special Commendation
Eithne Kiely – Sligo Social Services, Sligo
About the Volunteer Ireland Awards
The Volunteer Ireland Awards are the national campaign to recognise Ireland’s volunteers supported by the network of Volunteer Centres and Volunteering Information Services. 30 shortlisted nominees and 3 shortlisted groups and their friends and family attended the gala Volunteer Ireland Awards ceremony on December 1st in the Radisson Hotel, Rosses Point, Co. Sligo. 10 category awardees were announced at the event along with the Volunteer Manager of the Year.
One exceptional volunteer, Sister Patricia Wall, was the recipient of the Christine Buckley Volunteer of the Year Award. The award is named in memory of the late Christine Buckley – campaigner, activist and Co-Founder of The Aislinn Education and Support Centre. Christine was Volunteer of the Year in 2009.
What winning a Volunteer Ireland Award means to me
David McEvoy, Volunteer of the Year 2016, tells us how he began volunteering and what winning a Volunteer Ireland Award means to him.
Winning the Volunteer of the Year Award 2016 was an absolute privilege for me. To be nominated in the first place by family, friends, my fellow responders and my community was a real surprise altogether.
In 2009, I was a firefighter in Birr Fire Station. It was here that I discovered an interest in helping people so I took it upon myself to start research on CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation). Being friends with some local Paramedics, they helped me find out about courses and information on what to do next. I completed some great, informative courses such as Heartsaver AED, First Aid and also became a Community CFR Instructor. Only 3 weeks after completing my learning, my own Dad, Peter, suffered a cardiac arrest.
Thankfully I knew what to do and immediately started CPR and after a long 42 minutes with the help of the Ambulance Service we restarted his heart. It was an absolute relief to hear him speak again. Unfortunately after 7 weeks, he passed away due to an illness but those 7 weeks were fantastic and gave us a chance to say goodbye.
Birr First Responders
After his passing I realised that Birr town needed a first responder group to help in such situations so for the next 3 years I dedicated my spare time to teaching and preaching about the benefits of AED’S and CPR. Due to an illness, I couldn’t continue firefighting but not to let this stop me, I started fundraising and created the Birr First Responders Group.
In March 2012, I launched my group with massive support from my family, friends and our local community. With the help of community businesses and local families we raised a significant amount of money over the next few years and this enabled us to purchase 8 defibrillators along with other lifesaving equipment. At present 5 of these defibrillators are mobile with my responders who are on call to respond to such calls as Cardiac Arrests, Cardiac Chest Pain, Stroke and Choking Incidents. The other 3 defibrillators are currently located at Birr Garda Station, Dooley’s Hotel, Birr and St. Brendan’s Church, Birr.
To date I have trained roughly around 2350 people in the use of an AED and CPR Skills. These places include local schools, local businesses, An Garda Síochana and also surrounding areas. This keeps me going as it is something I really enjoy and have great interest in doing. It also gives me great satisfaction that people have the interest in what my group and I do for our community.
The Volunteer Ireland Awards Ceremony itself was fantastic. Located at City Hall Dublin, it was unreal – the amount of time and effort put into it was phenomenal. Meeting all of the other volunteers, organisers and staff was brilliant. It was great to meet so many people dedicated to what they do. It was a pleasure to be there and be part of it all – it was an absolutely amazing night for us all.
The Volunteer Ireland Awards
Winning the award for the category Emergency and Ambulance Services that night was unreal but for my name to have been called for the Christine Buckley Volunteer of the Year Award was unbelievable! I did not expect that at all, I remember sitting there and my wife Siobhan literally had to push me off the chair to receive it. It was surreal. Thanks so much to Conor Buckley whom the award was presented to me by.
Since that night I have been like a celebrity in my town, the amount of congrats and well wishes have been mad and I appreciate every last one of them. As every volunteer knows we are not in it for praise or recognition but the fact that we are helping someone out there that needs it is a joy in itself.
Since the event I think everyone has come to realise what it is that a volunteer actually does and it is unbelievable the amount of different stories people have of what they are involved in. You could sit and listen all day to these people – they are all amazing.
I am so chuffed to have these awards in my home. As I said that night these awards are dedicated to my Dad, Peter, who always encouraged me to go ahead and do what I love to do. Thanks so much to Volunteer Ireland. I loved every second of the event, you in yourselves are amazing people in what you do.
If you’d like to nominate a volunteer like David, nominations for this year’s awards are open until Friday 13th October. Nominate here.
Offaly Man Named Volunteer of the Year 2016
Birr native David McEvoy has been named Volunteer of the Year at the Volunteer Ireland Awards for his dedication to Birr First Responders. David started the group in 2012 after the passing of his father. David’s father suffered a cardiac arrest and, having only been trained 3 weeks previously, he was able to perform CPR for 42 minutes until help arrived. Although David’s father passed the following month, his training was vital to allow him to give his father an extra few weeks with his family. This spurred David to begin the Birr First Responder group. In almost five years since they began, they have answered 568 calls and made a significant impact on the community. David had been a member of the fire service until illness meant he could no longer continue. He now dedicates all of this time to the group having missed only two calls in five years. He’s also passionate about training the community in CPR and has trained over 500 school children in Birr. To read more about David and all of the nominees click here.