Anna, Acting Manager and Paula, Campaigns and Communications Officer of Kerry Volunteer Centre gathered with over 250 attendees at Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night to recognise and celebrate the endeavours of youths in Kerry that have had a positive impact on their respective communities.
The Garda Youth Achievement Awards Cermony in Association with Lee Strand began with dinner, followed by individual presentation of 21 Merit Awards, 4 Distinction Awards and a Voluntary Group Award with nearly every corner of Kerry being represented.
The Overall Winner on the night was 16 year old Seán Kelliher from Fossa, Killarney. Seán was presented with a specially commissioned crystal trophy and certificate by Chief Superintendent Pat O’Sullivan who gave a speech outlining Seán’s volunteering activities and achievements. Seán along with his two talented sisters ended the presentation ceremony with a piece of music which served to heighten the celebratory atmosphere of the night.
The Voluntary Group Awards 2014 was presented to Killarney No Name Club which was well represented on the night. The Club, founded in 2006 promotes a lifestyle without drugs or alcohol. They host discos in the Killarney area every six to eight weeks for the young people in Killarney and the surrounding towns as an alternative to the drinking culture. They also assist numerous charities around Killarney.
It was a heart-warming experience to hear the list of ways in which local youths between the ages of 14 – 19 years help to better their community. Many organisations and service users throughout our county have benefited greatly from their contribution some of which include:
• The Order of Malta
• St. Mary of the Angels Beaufort
• Killarney No Name Club
• Cycle Against Suicide
• Tralee Red Cross
• Numerous G.A.A. Clubs
• Tidy Towns
• Shanakill Resource Centre
• Jack & Jill Foundation
• Enable Ireland
• KDYS
• Kerry Parents & Friends Association
On the night words such as inspirational, charismatic, committed, caring and motivated were used to describe the nominees. Skills which included organisation, leadership and fundraising were also dominate amongst the winners.
Brendan Walsh, Chairperson, Lee Strand commented “Lee Strand is delighted to support the Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards for 16 years. It is a fantastic celebration of the outstanding achievements of our youth and the voluntary organisations within our community.”
Kerry Volunteer Centre, Acting Manager, Anna Dokurno said “it’s wonderful to see that the spirit of volunteerism is alive and well in Kerry within this age category. An Garda Síochána Kerry Branch and Lee Strand have done a tremendous job in highlighting and giving recognition to the positive work being done by local youths and organisations in Kerry. We are sure that this event will also serve to promote and encourage volunteering and its benefits locally.”
There were 190 nominations from all over Kerry and here is a list of winners on the night:
Distinction Award Winners:
Patriz Brosnan, Abbeydorney
Eimear Crowley, Templenoe
Helen Dowling, Ballyduff
Luke Scollard, Scartaglin
Merit Award Winners:
Maura Adams, Tralee
Padraig Blanchfield, Currow
Rebecca Donovan, Tralee
Seán Dowling & Gavin Connolly, Tralee
Paulina Filip, Killarney
Caitríona Fitzmaurice, Listowel
Aoife Kissane, Lixnaw
Jordan Lee, Killarney
Michelle Lynch, Kielduff, Tralee
Lúcás Mac Giolla Earnáin, Dingle & Kate Ní Laoithe, Ballyferriter
Rachel Mc Gowan, Killarney
Liam Morris, Killarney
DJ Murphy, Glenflesk
Rebecca Murphy, Duagh
Kiara Naylor, Killorglin
Elysha Ní Chúlain, Coláiste Íde
Eoghan Ó’Beaglaoich, Baile Na nGall
Connor O’Donoghue, Tralee
Caoimhe O’Sullivan, Waterville
Cormac Sertutxa, Castlemaine
Aoife Sugrue & Nicola O’Sullivan, Valentia
Voluntary Group Award Winner
Killarney No Name Club
