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The 2008 Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards Finalists
Sharon O'Gorman,
17, of Ballyragget, Co Kilkenny, a sixth year student at Heywood Community School in Ballinakill in Co. Laois spends much of her time changing the lives of the under-privileged through her work with the Order of Malta Ambulance Corps, the Bubblegum children's charity and recently on a trip to Kenya.
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In 2007 Sharon raised money to undertake a three-week volunteering trip to Kenya. During her stay she went on home-visits in the slums of Nairobi bringing vital supplies including blankets, sugar and money for food. Sharon also got the opportunity to volunteer at an orphan's refuge and visited healthcare centres where she witnessed first-hand the impact of HIV and Aids on the local people. This has prompted Sharon to raise awareness of the plight of those suffering from the disease back home in Ireland.
She plans to return to Kenya to teach English and to work with the charity Habitat for Humanity. Sharon realises the emotional challenge, but is determined to "engage and learn about the global community and react to the needs of those less fortunate."
Richard O'Regan,
18, from Bandon in Co. Cork, a sixth year student at St. Brogan's College, has impacted the lives of both young and old through his work with the Scouts and his first-hand experience with the street children of Calcutta.
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Richard, as a Scout leader, works with children as well as caring for the elderly in his community by making regular visits and running errands.
In 2007 Richard made a trip to Calcutta with the Hope Foundation, realising his dream of working with the charity of Mother Theresa. He was pivotal in raising €12,000 for the trip to see first-hand the poverty and hopelessness of the street children. On his return Richard decided to raise awareness of the Hope Foundation while also continuing to raise money for the charity.
Richard is a keen soccer player and uses his own skills to teach younger children the sport and he also volunteers in the local Youth Cafe 'Funky Fish'. He has summed up his volunteering activities very aptly, "What I have given, I have received back in a million ways."
Caoimhe Mahony,
18, of Carnhill Estate, Derry, a final year student at St. Mary's College has been working with young people for the past three years encouraging confidence through faith and warning against the dangers of drugs and alcohol.
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Caoimhe volunteers for the Christian youth organisation Search which supports young people in the community. She is adamant that a person should "give back to their community and support those who are in need." Caoimhe does this through her work with her peers helping them to overcome personal difficulties by sharing her own experiences.
Caoimhe says "she has been rewarded in her volunteering activities by seeing the difference that taking time for others makes to a person's life". Her work in Search involves organising two retreats a year whereby young people come together to explore their faith.
For the future Caoimhe is planning to study Educational Psychology and supporting those who experience difficulties at school. Despite struggling with her own self-confidence issues she has been described by her Principal Marie Lindsay as exuding the motto 'Service before Self'.
Zoe Johnston,
16, of The Lungy, Sligo, a fifth year student at Sligo Grammar School, has been instrumental in raising money for a new primary school in Uganda and also visited the facility which has made a significant difference to the lives of the local children there.
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After various fundraising activities in her community including a coffee morning, craft stall, and selling hand-made cards, Zoe travelled to Bajja in Uganda in the summer of 2007 where she spent two weeks meeting local people, teaching arts and crafts to local children and painting the new school.
Since returning to Ireland Zoe has committed to raising money for one Ugandan girl which will provide her with an education and two meals a day. She has also produced a DVD to raise awareness of the plight of the Ugandan people.
Her work continues today and she is part of a local group in Sligo which provides the women of Bajja with supplies to make their own crafts which they can sell. Zoe will also be involved in a new project to build a secondary school in Uganda. Zoe says "I no longer take the things and people for granted and am very grafeful that I am in a position to help others".
Jennifer Hatch,
14, of Bangor, Co. Down, a junior student at Glenlola Collegiate School, is studying for her Duke of Edinburgh Award and volunteers at Abbeyfield Residential Home every week.
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Jennifer spends her time in Abbeyfield talking to the female residents running errands and cleaning their rooms. She describes her time with the women as "very well spent and adding to their daily routines." She has even committed to continuing to visiting the elderly residents once she has completed her Duke of Edinburgh award as she enjoys it so much. Jennifer says "I enjoy volunteering as it brings me a great sense of satisfaction knowing that I am helping and bringing friendship to the elderly members of our community".
Jennifer is also planning to help out at the Church crFche and she is hoping she will enjoy it as much as enjoys her work at Abbeyfield.
Lisa O'Reilly,
17, of Ballykeefe, Co. Limerick, a sixth year student at Salesian College, Pallaskenry, has worked with people with HIV and AIDS in South Africa and raised enough money to build seven hospice homes. She also works in her home town with the deaf and with the elderly.
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June 2006 saw Lisa travel with her teacher Fr. Martin McCormack to Swaziland, Lesotho and South Africa where she witnessed first-hand the devastation of HIV and AIDS on babies, children and young adults. She was impacted so much by what she saw that she now raises money for hospice homes for the people of Swaziland in Limerick and has managed to raise enough money to build seven homes totalling €77,000.
Lisa also volunteers in a local school for the deaf one evening a week and at St. Paul's Nursing Home for the sick and elderly after school and in November and December spearheads the Shoe Box campaign.
Lisa plans to revisit Africa after her Leaving Certificate and maintains that her "enthusiasm and refusal to give up on the Africa project got people on board."
Daniel Hyland,
18, of Castlebar, Co. Mayo, a fifth year student of Davitt College, has spent over 100 hours looking after his elderly neighbours who both live alone and who struggle on a daily basis to carry out even the smallest of household chores.
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Daniel was quick to realise that his elderly female neighbour needed some support and he was even quicker to react to the situation. He volunteered to spread topsoil on her lawn and build walls around her house. He took the same generous approach to his elderly male neighbour who appreciates help with daily chores.
Not only does Daniel run errands for his neighbours but he also gives them his time and a listening ear. In particular he likes to talk about history with the elderly man and also convinced him to give up smoking.
Daniel's volunteering activities has made the world of difference to his neighbours and he says they "feel secure that they will always have me calling on them." Daniel plans to extend his volunteering activities to 'Meals on Wheels' when he goes to college.
Colm Mooney,
18, of Castleknock in Dublin, a sixth year student of Castleknock Community College, has been instrumental in producing a booklet for teenagers suffering from cancer arising from his own experience with the disease. He is also a volunteer with the group CanTeen Ireland and raises money for cancer research.
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'What's Going On? A Guide for Teenagers with Cancer' was particularly important as there was no up to date literature in Ireland for teenagers suffering from cancer. Colm was part of the editing Committee and used his own experience of cancer to re-edit the booklet which was officially launched at the Mansion House in Dublin in September 2007 at which Colm spoke.
The book has been distributed to teenagers throughout Ireland and has been read by consultants, surgeons and nurses to give a deeper understanding into the mindset of a teenager with cancer.
Colm still works with CanTeen Ireland and with his help his year-group raised €22,000 for cancer research.
Principal Tom O'Brien describes Colm as "a young man who gives selflessly at no little cost to himself. He is an inspiration to all."
Lfs Ni Chonchuir,
17, of an Daingean, Co. Kerry, a fifth year student of Pobal Scoil Corca Dhuibhne, worked as a photojournalist in Africa, is heavily involved in fundraising and is now twinning her school with Kolonyama in Lesotho.
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Lfs used the art of photography to showcase life in Lesotho while also imparting the fruits of what she learned during her two week trip.
The photographs from Lfs's trip were published in local papers in Kerry and this helped raise awareness and prompt fundraising activities in the local community. She has also been an inspiration to her peers in her school and is now part of a selection committee for the transition year team who will travel to Lesotho later this year.
Lis says of her work with the people of Lesotho, "we have begun a love affair with Lesotho, its people and their progress. I believe that my link with Lesotho will continue for my lifetime."
Margaret O'Loughlin,
14, of Thurles, Co. Tipperary, a first year student of Gairmscoil Mhuire, is trained in first aid, is a Cadet with her local Red Cross and is involved in training, church gate collections, fundraising activities and community care.
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Despite the challenging nature of her work in the Red Cross, Margaret maintains that her volunteering activities and her huge personal commitment has had a big impact on her community.
Margaret is also involved in training the younger cadets and has committed to a recruitment drive to get more young people involved. She will also compete in the cadet competition in the area of first aid later in the year.
Principal Fiona O'Sullivan has described Margaret's dedication to volunteering activities as "rare in someone so young" and is "an example and role model for other young people."
Orlaith McLaughlin,
13, of Ramore Gardens in Derry, a junior student at St. Mary's College, is a volunteer for the Ulster Cancer Foundation and has given over 350 hours to the charity to date by working in their charity shop, fundraising and raising awareness of the challenges those with cancer face.
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Orlaith is so committed to the charity that she wishes she could give more of her time to it, despite the fact that she currently gives seven hours a week and 40 hours a week during the summer holidays.
The main challenge faced by Orlaith in her volunteering activities was her age as at only 13 years old she had to "beg her aunt to persuade the manager" to allow her volunteer in the shop. Orlaith is now thinking of other ways to raise money for the charity through her school.
Principal Marie Lindsay has described Orlaith as "unstinting in her commitment" and showing "sure signs that she will sustain this work into the future and beyond."
Sarah-Jane Lalor,
15, of Castleknock in Dublin, a fourth year student at Mount Saville Secondary School in Chapelizod, give people with special needs a place to go and have fun through her work at a special needs youth club. She is also heavily involved in fundraising and organising events for the St. Vincent De Paul.
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The level of commitment and time given to those with special needs never phases Sarah-Jane who is inspired by her brother Adam who has Downs Syndrome. She gives one-to-one care to autistic and Downs Syndrome children and takes time to organise specific tasks and games suited to the children's abilities.
Sarah-Jane is also a Special Olympics coach and chairs the Respect Committee in her school which works to raise awareness of those with Downs Syndrome. She has invested time completing a Child Protection Course which allowed her work with children.
Speaking of her volunteering activities Sarah-Jane says "I really wanted to do something that could help Adam and others like him, to have a place to go and have fun and enjoy themselves like everyone else."
Vivienne McNulty,
16, of Leopardstown in Dublin, a fifth year student at John Scottus Senior School, in Morehampton Road, has befriended elderly people at her local retirement home where she runs a coffee dock. She also lends a listening ear to the residents some of whom have no family.
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For the past three years Saturday afternoons for Vivienne have been spent running the hospital coffee dock with her sister and afterwards spending time with the elderly residents.
To strengthen her volunteering capabilities Vivienne completed manual handling and health and safety courses. She is also the youngest volunteer in the home and despite breaking both wrists in a fall during the summer of 2007 Vivienne continued to visit the residents. The biggest challenge of her work has been losing her friends when they die and she has admitted that this has been difficult to deal with.
Principal Michael Telford says Vivienne has "tremendous spirit and a very genuine sense of care for others ruins through her veins."
Leigh Ellis,
17, of Clondalkin in Dublin, a fifth year student at Colaiste Bride, spear-headed the opening of a library in her school and initiated her campaign to achieve "A Thousand Books by Christmas." She motivated her peers and began a fundraising campaign to ensure her dream became a reality.
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Leigh's work in setting up the library has had far-reaching implications for the school, community and local charities. The facility helps with literacy problems and has encouraged an ethos of reading in the school. It also helps with exam revision and old books are donated to their local Barnardos charity.
Now that the library is established Leigh has greater ambitions - to get topic specific books in the library, host workshops to encourage teenagers to visit and also to work with neighbouring schools to extend the library of books available to students.
Leigh's motto "For the students...by the students" has ensured that she has left a legacy in her school for years to come. Principal Maire Thesese Kilmartin says Leigh has shown "initiative, creativity and leadership" and is now a mentor working with first year students.
Darren Hehir,
14, of Thurles, Co. Tipperary, a third year student of Scoil Ruain in Killenaule, is a volunteer with the Order of Malta and is involved in a multitude of activities ranging from first aid and helping the elderly to crowd control at the Dublin St. Patrick's Day Parade.
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Darren particularly enjoys working with the elderly in his local nursing home and feels his work gives them a great sense of value as he spends time talking and listening to them.
As a member of the Cadet Corps Darren has to wait until he is 16 to join the Adult Corps however he is adamant that his commitment will not falter and says he will be a member "until the day I die."
His dedication was rewarded when he won third place in the All-Ireland Cadet of the Year competition and first place in the Muster competition.
According to Principal Brendan Burke, "Darren will always be the first to volunteer to undertake any task, menial or onerous" and says his "steadfastness, competence and sunny nature inspire confidence, respect and friendship in those around him."
Emma Garvey,
18, of Enfield in Co. Meath, a sixth year student at St. Joseph's College in Lucan, Co. Dublin, travels over an hour to volunteer as a member of the St. John's Ambulance Brigade of Ireland. She is fully qualified to provide an emergency medical service and has learned to expect the unexpected.
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Despite living in Co. Meath Emma travels weekly to Dublin to undertake training and volunteers her expertise and time. In the future she intends to train as a paramedic before undertaking a nursing degree. She also has a vision to set up a division of St. John's Ambulance in Co. Meath.
Emma says that "the role of the volunteer ensures that other people in the community can enjoy concerts, festivals and other major events, and that without volunteers such events could not happen". She has also organised for the charity Aware to give talks on depression to the students at her school.
Principal Siobhan Corry says "while her friends are earning extra money in their spare time with part-time jobs, Emma is giving her time freely."
Sarah Hand,
15, of Carrickmacross, Co.Monaghan, a transition year student at Inver College, uses her passion for basketball to inspire people with disabilities. She coaches on the Special Olympics team and has brought her own basketball team to national competitions.
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The inspiration to work with physically and mentally handicapped people came from Sarah's grandfather who set up the 'Faith and Light' project which she was involved in for six years.
Through her close work with those with special needs Sarah began to understand their challenges and realised she could use sport to help them express their emotions which included, anger, frustration, and rage. Sarah quickly saw that basketball helped her new friends to feel a sense of self-worth and also to allow those with mental issues express their emotions in a positive way.
According to Sarah her volunteer work has taught her to "appreciate people for who they are and not what we see." And she intends to develop her volunteering skills by travelling to Africa later this year to help those less fortunate.
Rose O'Donnell,
18, of Mallow in Co. Cork, a sixth year student at St. Mary's Secondary School, is a volunteer in her local Irish Cancer Society shop, is involved in fundraising for various cancer charities and has convinced her friends to give time to volunteering also following the death of her grand-aunt from the disease.
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The impact of Rose's volunteering activities became very evident one day as she worked in the shop. She was approached by a woman who thanked her for her work with the charity as she confided that she had a cancer diagnosis. Rose befriended this lady and spoke to her regularly until she died.
Rose has decided to continue her work with the Irish Cancer Society after finishing school and maintains that her volunteering activities are making a difference to thousands of people.
"Approximately 7,614 people died of cancer in Ireland during 2005" says Rose and "I feel so strongly that I had to try and make a difference."
Emma Jane Hade,
17, of Tullow, Co. Carlow, a fifth year student at Tullow Community School, has immersed herself in volunteering by travelling to Kenya, helping in dyslexia workshops, volunteering at summer camps, drama classes and at GAA coaching sessions.
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When Emma got the chance to be part of an African mission she jumped at it and along with her fellow students raised €12,000 for the trip. It was an experience that changed her life and reiterated her belief that giving to others was hugely rewarding and personally enriching. She also swapped this trip for a family holiday in New York.
According to Emma, "The Kenyan people were the poorest and most disadvantaged people I have ever met, yet they were the happiest and kindest people I had ever met."
Emma also helped raise funds for a trip to Lourdes and donated the proceeds of her transition year mini-company to the Carlow/Kilkenny Hospice team who helped her family care for her terminally ill grandfather.
Emma's work with the children in the dyslexia workshops, summer camps, drama classes and GAA coaching sessions helps give them confidence.
Ashleigh Dawson,
17, of Holywood, Co. Down, a senior student of Strathearn Grammar School in Belfast, works with the Redburn Summer Scheme and also works with children with autism. Despite her lack of self-confidence she has become a valued volunteer in her community.
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Ashleigh wanted to give something back to her community after suffering her own personal loss and receiving a lot of support during her family's difficult time. Ashleigh's maternal grandmother who was a central figure in Ashleigh's life survived the 1989 Kegworth plane crash and was left paralysed from the neck down leaving her mum to look after her and a young baby.
Ashleigh works at the Redburn Summer School, works with children with special needs and recently started working in her local Cancer Research Shop. Next year Ashleigh hopes to travel overseas to work with disadvantaged children on a year out before continuing her studies in University. Ashleigh says "I really enjoy working with children and when I worked with a boy who had severe autism, he inspired me to want to work with them more and do all I can for them".
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