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Gerry Rochford, London Kerry Person of the Year 2015.
A WEMBLEY-BASED ground work contractor who celebrates 30 years in business this year has been awarded one of the most important Irish community awards in Britain.
Gerry Rochford has been named as the winner of the prestigious London Kerry Person of the Year award for 2015.
The Ballyduff native was selected by the Kerry Association London’s Person of the Year sub-committee in recognition for all the work the charity work he does in London.
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He is also well-known for offering employment to countless Irish and Kerry people through his paving business which is based in the shadows of Wembley Stadium
He joins some of London’s most illustrious Kerry people, like the late John Murphy and current KAL chairman Dan Tim O’Sullivan who have employed countless Kerry people in their respective civil engineering firms over their years, as Kerry Person of the Year.
On hearing of her award he said: “I am really honoured to be offered this award. When I think of all the great men and women that have gone before me and I know there are many more out there more deserving of me. “
Mr Rochford, who arrived in London 31 years ago, is a huge supporter of the Kerry Parents and Friends, a charity which provides support to families of intellectually disabled people through work at the St Mary of the Angels centre near Killarney.
Last year, when his mother Nora Mai passed away as a result of cancer he turned his 50th birthday bash into a fundraiser for the hospice connected with Tralee General Hospital and raised £1,000s for this worthy cause. Only recently was one of the biggest donators at the London Irish Vintage Rally.
A huge fan of Kerry football and Manchester United, he boasts most of the current Kerry team and people like Alex Ferguson amongst his friends.
Gerry, his wife Margaret and children Gerard, Denise, Sorcha and Eoin are heavily involved in the Irish community in London with his daughter running a well-respected Irish dance school
His construction company has worked on some of the biggest contracts in the city and his work can be found alongside such landmarks as the London Eye and Westminster Abbey.
Mr Rochford will collect his award at the Kerry Association London’s annual dinner and dance at the Crown Moran Hotel in Cricklewood on October 16.
The following night October 17, Kerry Association chairman Dan Tim O’Sullivan will host a charity fundraiser for St Joseph’s nursing home in Kilorglin at the parish church hall in Dollis Hill, north London.
The association holds regular meetings at The Kingdom Bar and new members are always welcome.
Enquires on any of the association’s events can be directed towards Secretary Tara Cronin on +44 7939 017022 or any committee member.
Search Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter for Kerry Association London or visit their website www.kerryassociationlondon.co.uk for more information.
