NOMINATIONS are invited for the 2015 Hugh O’Flaherty International Humanitarian Award.
As part of the 8th annual Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Weekend, which will take place from Friday October 30th to Sunday November 1st in Killarney.
Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty, who was from Killarney, was dubbed the Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican for his exploits during World War II. During the course of the war he was instrumental in saving the lives of more than 6,500 anti-fascists, Allied escapees, Jews and many others by hiding them from the Gestapo in a number of safe houses throughout Rome.
He spent the first few years of his life in Tralee where there is a plaque was unveiled at what is now The Huddle Bar. There is also a new garden space in his honour at the junction of Matt Talbot Road and Strand Road.
The Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Society are inviting the public, NGOs/voluntary bodies and organisations to nominate the person or organisation they feel is doing outstanding humanitarian work and most deserving of the 2015 Hugh O’Flaherty International Humanitarian Award.
Last year’s Humanitarian Award recipient was UK Surgeon Dr John Beavis. Over 21 years through his work with the organisation he founded IDEALS; he devoted his life to providing humanitarian medical aid in parts of the world afflicted by disaster, either natural or from conflict.
Previous award recipients included the Darfur based Goal aid workers Sharon Commins and Hilda Kawuki in 2009, Columban Missionary Fr Michael Synott in 2010, Trócaire’s Regional Director for Latin America, Sally O’Neill in 2011, Sr Agnes Hunt of the Irish Council for Prisoners Overseas in 2012 and the inspirational young Kerryman Donal Walsh in 2013.
Nominations for the 2015 Humanitarian Award are invited from:
• The General Public,
• Voluntary Organisations and Humanitarian NGOs operating at home or overseas,
• Humanitarian & Related Societies in 3rd level Educational Institutions
Nominations can be for an Individual, Team or Organisation providing Humanitarian Services for those in need at home or overseas.
Nominations in no more than 500 words should be submitted in writing to the Awards Committee at the below address, or by e-mail to hofmemorialsociety@gmail.combefore Friday June 26 2015.
The Nomination should clearly outline the reasons why the nominator feels that the nominated Individual/Team/Organisation, merits consideration for this award.
An independent panel will fully consider the nominations received and will recommend a recipient to the Memorial Committee. The 2015 Award recipient will be announced in late August and the Award will be presented on Saturday October 31st 2015 during the 8th Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Week.
Further information on the Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Society visit www.hughoflaherty.com