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The 2012 Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards Finalists:
Peter Armstrong,
17,
from Belfast, Co. Down is a Year 13 student at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution.
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Peter has asthma and is well aware of the detrimental effect it can have on one’s quality of life.
As a result, Peter has volunteered with the Charity Asthma UK for four years.
He helps raise awareness and funds for the organization.
Peter realised that not many people were aware of the seriousness of asthma. He began fundraising at his school to educate his peers. He distributed information about the disease, held school assemblies and raised more than £1,500 for the charity.
On World Asthma Day, Peter received an award for his charitable activities and was invited to the House of Commons in London to take part in a charity youth conference.
An active member of the Asthma UK Youth Forum, Peter attends meetings four times per year. Joan O’Hagan, director of Asthma UK, says Peter is,
“a delightful young man who reminds us of what community is all about.”
Peter travelled to Romania in 2011 on a mission with The Smiles Foundation to provide aid and food to the homeless. This year, he will travel to Cambodia with Habitat for Humanity to help build houses for people in need.
David Baigel,
18,
from Palmerstown, Co. Dublin, is a sixth-year student at St. Vincent’s Castleknock College.
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David dedicated his transition year to the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, organising events such as hospital visits, food appeals, Christmas tree sales and a Christmas party for St. Joseph’s Centre, Clonsilla.
In July 2011, David travelled with Saint Vincent de Paul to Ambo, Ethiopia, where he taught in the local Vincentian school, worked in the Vincentian Food Programme and the Vincentian School for the Deaf, and coached at Ambo United Football Club.
David raised funds to cover his trip expenses through fashion shows, raffles, church gate collections and St. Brigid’s cross donations.
“David’s affable nature and dedication to the service of others has made a tangible difference in the lives of those he meets,” says his teacher, Tom McGauley.
Aisling Baker,
17,
from Downpatrick, Co. Down, is a Year 14 student at Saint Patrick’s Grammar School.
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Aisling volunteers with Children and Parents and Autism, caring for children between 3 and 14 years old. She encourages and motivates the children to play together and helps them explore their talents through arts and crafts. Her work gives the parents of autistic children a well-deserved break for a few hours each Saturday.
Aisling is also a qualified reading partner within her school. (After training for that role, she adapted her skills to deliver her assistance through Irish.) She visits her local Irish medium primary school on a weekly basis to assist two students with their reading.
Aisling is a member of the St. Vincent de Paul society at her school. She attends weekly meetings and helps raise funds for the organisation through bag packs and cake sales. Each week, Aisling also takes time out to visit local residents’ homes to spend time with the elderly residents. Principal Shaun Sloan describes Aisling as “totally reliable, mature and dedicated.”
Laura Baldrick,
17, from Drumahoe, Londonderry, is a Year 13 student at Foyle College.
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Laura volunteers with many charitable organisations including the Foyle Down Syndrome Trust, Barnados and the All Saints Clooney Youth Club.
Volunteering weekly with the Foyle Down Syndrome Trust, Laura assists with activities that help children with special needs. She builds their confidence, and helps them strengthen their teamwork and communication skills. She also lends a hand on day trips and with fundraising activities.
Laura also volunteers at her local Barnardo’s charity shop every Saturday and during school holidays. In addition, she participates in local street collections and bag packs.
With her church youth group, Laura dedicates weekends to organising programmes for community development and church-based activities, including fundraising for the missionaries. For her efforts, Laura received a 200-hour millennium volunteer’s award from the Secretary of State in Belfast.
Laura’s mentor, Hazel Eakin, describes her as “naturally sociable and able to relate to people of all ages and abilities easily and comfortably.”
R=isfn Eyres,
17,
from Maynooth, Co. Kildare, is a sixth-year student at Scoil Mhuire.
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As part of the Outreach Zambia Project, R=isfn and nine other students devoted 36 intensive weeks to raising funds and awareness in preparation for a trip to Zambia. Through activities including race nights, concerts and raffles, R=isfn and the team raised more than €30,000 to bring supplies to Zambia and to support a charitable mission there.
In Zambia, R=isfn spent her time with local children and young orphans, working on a farm, teaching in schools and assisting in the Home Based Care Programme distributing medicine to people with HIV in a very poor compound. When she returned to Ireland, she gave presentations at her school about the plight of those in Zambia.
R=isfn also is a mentor in her school, helping new students adapt, patrolling areas, organising social events and helping her peers overcome problems. She is involved in the student’s council work with the Shoe Box Appeal.
“R=isfn is totally committed young girl, who is very aware of the needs of others. She is a pleasure to know and someone you would recommend to any position,” says her teacher, Mary Foster.
Aine Fahy,
18,
from Donore Avenue, Co. Dublin, is a sixth-year student at Warrenmount Presentation Secondary School
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Aine devoted her time to improving her community through the For=ige Youth Citizenship Awards. She led the fundraising committee and raised more than €2,000 for a local refurbishment project with support from Dublin City Council.
Fundraising activities included cake and magazine sales and two non-uniform days to repair local astro pitch goals that were badly damaged. It also transformed the area, known locally as St. Teresa’s Gardens into a safe place where young children can now play.
Aine is currently involved with the Dulux Let’s Colour project. She works with community youth to paint the walls of the flats damaged by vandalism.
“Aine has tirelessly served her community and is an excellent role model. She gives so generously of her time and energy,” says Principal Gwen Brennan.
Molly Gilmartin,
17, from Belfast, Co. Antrim, is a Year 14 student at Victoria College.
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An active volunteer with Action Cancer for the past six years, Molly single-handedly organised “Sound of Action,” a concert held in December 2010 that showcased the talents of 11 school choirs across Northern Ireland. The event, held in St. Anne’s Cathedral, raised more than £12,000 and was heralded as a great success. It is now an annual Action Cancer event in the city.
In January 2011, Molly travelled to India through the Global Schools Partnership and spent a week working with children in a school in Dehra Dun. She also presented at The World Educational Conference in Delhi.
After completing a Listening Ear Qualification, Molly now volunteers as a counsellor for people affected by cancer in the Belfast City Hospital Cancer Centre.
“Molly embodies everything you might expect to find in an outstanding volunteer: commitment, dedication, vision, enthusiasm and the ability to motivate and encourage others,” says Patricia Slevin, the headmistress of Victoria College.
Lucy Gray,
15,
from Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim, is a Year 12 student at Carrickfergus Grammar School.
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Since the age of 11, Lucy has been an active volunteer with the Youth Project at Kilcreggan Urban Farm. Featured in Children in Need 2011, the farm offers opportunities for children--some of whom have learning difficulties--to volunteer in a friendly, fun environment.
Lucy started volunteering at the farm because her brother David, who has Down syndrome, was a member. With very few places for people with special needs to socialise, Lucy wanted to contribute to the positive environment on the farm. She helps with the physical farm work, and encourages the other volunteers to form positive relationships with the children and to have a good time.
“Lucy’s commitment to volunteerism has not waned since 2008. She is a self-effacing and generous spirit who seeks to develop herself in a mature, benevolent manner, which benefits others,” says Principal Kieran Mulvenna.
Amy Mitchell,
16,
from Banbridge, Co. Down, is a Year 12 student at New-Bridge Integrated College.
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Amy is a volunteer with the Goal Line Youth Trust, where she works with children who have special educational requirements. She promotes the use of arts and crafts, sport and team games to help children learn through play. She also teaches children-- who come from varied religious and social backgrounds-- to respect community members and each other.
Amy has received training to help her better understand autistic children. She has also helped with fundraising activities, selling at a craft fair and bag packing.
“Amy is at home in Goal Line. She is a fantastic asset to our very busy youth centre and truly deserves this award,” says Sue Swan, Junior Club Leader of Goal Line Youth Trust.
Julie McConnell,
17,
from Omagh, Co. Tyrone, is a Year 14 student at Omagh High School.
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In July 2010, Julie volunteered for a two-week missionary trip to Malawi to improve the life of one family. She helped build a home for a young widow and provided her with oil lamps, mattresses, food and clothes.
During her stay, Julie became part of the community. She played with the children, visited the local school and donated gifts from home such as books, footballs, pens and hand-knitted jumpers for the maternity ward.
Julie recruited a group of young volunteers to travel to Malawi later this year. During the four-week trip, the group intends to build a much-needed feeding centre in the village where Julie stayed.
“No matter where Julie travels, she will always be a fine ambassador to young people,” says Mary Allen, team leader of Edenderry Goes to Malawi.
Lucy McKinty,
18,
from Bangor, Co. Down, is a Year 14 student at Glenlola Collegiate School.
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Lucy has volunteered with the North Down Special Olympics Club for the past three years and is passionate about working with people with special needs. “They are a breath of fresh air,” she says.
She works hard to ensure the athletes can not only train, but socialise and make friends within the club. In May 2011, Lucy helped club members prepare to compete in The Belfast Marathon. She also ran a leg of the marathon alongside an athlete and raised funds for much-needed resources for the club
Lucy is also involved in community improvement work, assists at nursing homes and is participating in a global wildlife conservation project with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.
“Lucy is an extremely committed young lady who gives so much of her time to help these athletes. She is a credit to our school,” says her teacher, Brian Montgomery.
Aisling McManus,
18,
from Newry, Co. Down, is a Year 14 student at Sacred Heart Grammar School.
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Aisling is the youngest volunteer at her local Barnardo’s Family Contact Centre and a leader in her local Youth Club.
Aisling helps families that may be involved in child custody battles or in situations where supervised visits are required. She took child safeguarding training, which taught her how to positively engage and reunite families.
Aisling has been a member of her local Youth Club for four years and is a certified Youth Leader. In this role, she gives talks on sexual health and alcohol awareness.
“Aisling is diligent, intelligent and flexible. She has a strong community spirit,” says her teacher, Simon Burke.
R=isfn Nic Cárthaigh,
17,
from Cork city, is a senior student at Gaelcholáiste Choilm.
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R=isfn’s charitable nature was instilled at a young age by her family. Many of her relatives are active volunteers, and they have inspired R=isfn to engage in charity as well.
With her family’s support, R=isfn raises much-needed funds for the charity SHARE, the Hope Foundation and the Mary Mount Hospice. Even on Christmas Eve, R=isfn raises money; her focus is always on the greater good.
SHARE assists elderly people by bringing them hope, homes and happiness. R=isfn visits her friend, Charlie, and assists him with daily needs to make his day a little better. SHARE integrates the young and old of Cork City and it has had a profound effect on the way R=isfn views life.
Principal Pat Kinsella describes R=isfn as “an exceptional girl who can lift the hearts of her peers even in the most difficult of circumstances.”
Richard Nolan,
18,
from Borrisokane, Co. Tipperary, is a sixth-year student at Borrisokane Community College.
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For the past three years, Richard has organised local fundraisers for the Irish Heart Foundation (IHF) as the group’s local co-ordinator for Nenagh and surrounding areas. He has been called “an invaluable aid” for his work coordinating local fundraising activities including church gate raffles and the Happy Heart Weekend Campaign.
Richard is dedicated to raising awareness about the IHF and last year gave a presentation to his school during Stroke Week. He plans to take on the extreme challenge of climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in 2012 for the charity.
In addition to his work with the heart foundation, Richard also volunteers with Rape Crisis Midwest. He has raised €1,700 over the past three years as part of the group’s fundraising committee, set up Facebook pages for the organisation and trained staff on how to use these.
“Extremely dedicated to his charitable endeavours, his energy and enthusiasm always strikes me when it comes to helping out,” says Martina Carroll, a counsellor for Rape Crisis Midwest.
Niall O’Keeffe,
18,
from Mallow, Co. Cork, is a fifth-year student at Patrician Academy.
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Niall’s love for charity work stems from his belief that “one person can make a difference in the world.”
Niall is the president of the Mallow Junior Rotary Club. He raises funds for charities at home and abroad. He is Public Relations Officer for his school’s student council, lead mentor for first-year students and chairperson of Young Social Innovators within the school.
Niall’s charitable work spans several groups and causes. He raised more than €4,000 for charities including the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Thanks for Life by planning fundraising events including a “mad hair day,” bake sale, X-box tournament and Christmas raffle. He has also helped raise €3,500 for cystic fibrosis.
Community-minded from a young age, Niall designed and distributed a fire safety calendar to promote fire safety awareness. Having received the Bronze Gaisce Award, he is working towards his Silver Award.
His teacher, Annette Harte, says, “Niall believes in the goodness of others and that has benefitted those who know him.”
Michelle Peacock,
15,
from Larne, Co. Antrim, is a Year 12 student at Downshire School, Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim.
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In July 2011, Michelle underwent radical surgery in London to remove cancer. Described as a determined young woman, she faced her diagnosis and treatment with a maturity beyond her years.
While recovering from her most recent surgery, Michelle wrote a book for other teenagers affected by cancer to help them through their personal battle. Michelle felt they might gain a more positive perspective from reading her personal story.
Her book plainly explains cancer in a way that others her age can easily understand and answers questions that Michelle had while undergoing treatment. Michelle’s biggest hurdle while writing the book was her health. “Some days just having the strength to sit up and type was a challenge,” she said. She finished her book in October 2011 and hopes to have it published soon.
“Michelle has been an inspiration to many people,” says Jacqueline Stewart, Downshire School’s principal. “Our community greatly admires her courage, determination and positive attitude.”
Alison Peate,
17,
from Douglas, Co. Cork, is a fifth-year student at Christ King Secondary School.
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Alison has volunteered with the Hope Foundation, a charitable group that works with underprivileged children and families in India since she was eight years old. “To give the children in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) hope for a better life is motivation enough for me", she says.
Alison raised more than €11,000 to fund Hope’s work and offset the costs of travelling to Kolkata by organising cake sales, bag packs, table quizzes, collections, beauty training lessons, and sponsored walks and skydives.
While in Kolkata, Alison visited hospital patients, helped improve the literacy of local children, patrolled dangerous streets on night-watch and participated in a Himalayan trek. She hopes to return as a volunteer once she completes her Leaving Certificate.
“During her many years with us, Alison has been dedicated, involved and energetic. She exemplifies the change she wants to see in the world,” says JP O’ Sullivan, Programmes Manager of Hope. “She is next-generation Hope.”
Bonnie Shortall,
18, from Harold’s Cross, Co. Dublin, is a sixth-year student at St. Louis High School.
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Bonnie travelled to an orphanage in Tanzania for two weeks to care for sick babies and orphaned children. As part of the Forever Angels charity, Bonnie worked from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day on tasks such as painting, providing physiotherapy, feeding, bathing and playing with the children.
Since her return to Ireland, Bonnie raised €1,600 through fundraising activities such as a non-uniform day and an Easter raffle.
The money raised was used to buy a small plot of land for the grandmother of a little boy Bonnie grew very close during her time in Tanzania. She continues to support the Forever Angels organisation and sponsors two children.
“Bonnie is an incredible young woman with a huge heart. I believe she has a wonderful future ahead in some sort of caring role,” says Amy Hathway, Manager of Forever Angels Baby Home.
Shannon Stapleton,
16,
from Ballynonty, Co. Tipperary, is a fourth-year student at Scoil Ruain.
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Inspired by her devotion to her father, who is blind, Shannon assists people with disabilities. She helps at Wheelchair Association parties by serving dinner and has volunteered to go to Lourdes at Easter so she can help children with special needs.
At home, Shannon is dedicated to helping her father navigate everyday tasks such as making tea, shopping, shaving and walking.
Shannon guides her father on walks describing the things around them. She tries to brighten his spirits when he is depressed. Her goal each day is to give her mother a break and to make her dad laugh.
“Young women like Shannon are a rare treasure in any family and community. She is very modest and humble about her level of care and commitment,” says her teacher, Sister Kate Morris.
Mark Wright,
16, from Castlereagh, Belfast, is a Year 16 student at Loughshore Educational Resource Centre.
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Mark spent several months volunteering at nursing homes and day-care centres, brightening the days of those he visited.
At the nursing homes, he organised “reminiscing sessions” by bringing in a “memory box,” pictures and scrapbooks from the 1950s and 1960s for the residents to peruse and enjoy. He also pitched in as a volunteer bingo caller for ladies in the nursing home.
“In spite of an extremely difficult year, Mark has maintained a pleasant and committed demeanour. He has worked to the best of his ability and carried out successful activities. Residents informed me that they look forward to his visits,” says his principal, Geri Cameron
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