by Alan Jacques
A COUNTY Limerick student was named All Ireland Youth Volunteer of the Year last week at the 2016 Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards in Donegal.
Cian O’Grady from Herbertstown was selected from amongst hundreds of youth volunteers as All Ireland Youth Volunteer of the Year for the exemplary work he carries out in his local community.
A sixth year student at John the Baptist Community School, Cian received €1,000 for a charity of his choice, a gold medallion and crystal trophy for his school, presented by Bressie from TV show ‘The Voice of Ireland’.
He will travel on an all-expenses paid trip to Washington DC in May to meet up with youth volunteers from across America and participate in the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards ceremony.
The Limerick student has undertaken volunteering both in his local community and in Limerick more widely. He also volunteers in the soup kitchen for St Vincent de Paul and at St Michael’s nursing home in Caherconlish.
Cian’s main role is to help organise the street festivals and family fun days in the community. He also helps provide dinners in the local hall six times a year, which enables both locals and older people to come together for a social afternoon.
On top of that, he also sits on the ‘Tidy Towns’ committee in his area and volunteers with the Simon Community to raise funds for homeless people in Limerick each Christmas. He now aims to complete the Kickstart 1 course and coach’s kids’ soccer at his local club Herbertstown AFC.
“Cian is a great role model for all students who has the respect of all in the school,” said principal of John the Baptist Community School, Mary Jones.
“He puts thought and effort into what he does and is willing to seek advice and follow it. In all of his successes he is a humble and self-effacing young man who shows respect to everyone,” she said.
And it was a case of double delight for Limerick when 17 year-old David Boyce from Askeaton received €500 and a silver medallion for his tireless efforts to improve both his school and local community .
A fifth year student at Colaiste Mhuire, where he started an anti-bullying committee in 2012, David also acts as a volunteer at West Limerick 102 Radio, is an education adviser in the Irish Second Level Students Union and volunteers in Limerick Comhairle Na nOg as well as for the town’s Junior Pastoral Council.
“David is very enthusiastic and works tirelessly on projects and initiatives to improve both his school community and his local community,” said principal of Colaiste Mhuire, Norma O’Brien.
The only all-Ireland youth initiative of its kind, the Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards programme recognises young people for their motivation, service and impact on their local communities across the island of Ireland.
