by Alan Jacques
(Picture – Pat Browne, Munster Images)
THE Irish Red Cross have recognised the work of its Limerick volunteers at a special awards ceremony in the city.
Last year, Red Cross volunteers contributed over 10,500 hours of service by providing 450 crew to cover 260 events and 60 patient transfers. Following the flooding in Limerick City in February 2014, local Red Cross members helped distribute €77,000 of humanitarian aid.
At their recent awards night in the Absolute Hotel, a range gold, silver and bronze lapel pins, representing 40, 70, and 100 hours annual voluntary service, were presented. Commemorative certificates were also presented to volunteers who had given over 200 hours service in 2014.
Denis Bates, a member of the Limerick Unit, received the award for the highest number of hours contributed last year with an impressive 488 hours.
Volunteers also received three year, five year, 10 year and 20 year long service award scrolls in recognition of their time served as members of the Irish Red Cross.
The awards ceremony highlighted a number of volunteers who had made extraordinary contributions during the year, with a surprise presentation being made to Limerick doctor Andrew Kelly in appreciation of over 30 years’ commitment to the local Red Cross organization.
Niall Boland, from Murroe, received the Member of the Year award for his outstanding commitment to event first aid cover, fundraising and training.
The Limerick Branch is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. It continues to provide a wide range of services such as first aid training, youth and community services, first aid and ambulance cover for events, patient transfer services and response to humanitarian emergencies.
National Director of Units for the Irish Red Cross, Anthony Lawlor said, “Limerick volunteers are held in very high regard by the Irish Red Cross for the contributions they make to the development of the organisation nationally, in key areas such as first aid training and clinical audit.”
