Previous winners Jim Kavanagh, Volunteer with the Chernobyl Children’s Foundation and Stephen O’Hara, Volunteer with the Irish Coast Guard launch this year’s Volunteer Ireland Awards which are open for nominations until 16th October.
THE Kerry Volunteer Centre is calling for the public for local nominations for the eighth annual Volunteer Ireland Awards.
The Volunteer Ireland Awards are open to volunteers of all ages working in any part of Ireland and there are ten different award categories, along with the prestigious Christine Buckley Volunteer of the Year award.
Last year saw a member of the Tralee Irish Red Cross branch was honoured with Lixnaw native Majella Forde receiving an award in the Health and Disability category.
She wasn’t the only recipient last year as 91 year old Michael O’Sullivan from Listowel also received a special award for being the oldest nominee, while Louise Quill from Ashgrove was also nominated in the International Development Category.
“Volunteers are one of Ireland’s most valuable resources. The most recent figures, for 2013, show that over 1 million people volunteered their time. These volunteers clocked up an incredible 230 million hours of volunteering which equates to a value of over €5 billion to the economy,” said Geraldine Sheehan, manager of the Kerry Volunteer Centre.
“Of the current volunteers registered with Volunteer Centres and I-VOL (Volunteer Ireland’s national database and smartphone app), almost 30% say one of the reasons they volunteer is to help improve their skills and develop their employment prospects. The value of volunteering can never be overlooked but in current times where unemployment remains high and the job market has become increasingly competitive, volunteering is a great opportunity to give back while developing your skills.”
“If you’ve ever attended a sporting event, had fun at a festival or even adopted an animal, chances are you’ve experienced first hand the importance of volunteers. We’re calling on members of the public now to take this opportunity to say thank you to their local volunteers, and to nominate an outstanding volunteer they know.”
Anyone can nominate a volunteer and the ten categories with the ten categories being:
• Arts, Culture and Media
• Animals and Environment
• Campaigning and Awareness Raising
• Children and Young People
• Community
• Education and Training
• Health and Disability
• International Development
• Social Work
• Sports and Recreation
Nominations close at midnight on Friday 16th October and can be done so through the nomination form HERE.
The Christine Buckley Volunteer of the Year award along with the 10 category winners will be announced at a gala awards ceremony Wednesday, 2nd December in City Hall, Dublin with all shortlisted nominees along with their guests will be invited to the ceremony to enjoy a deserved night of celebration.
