SIX individuals and two groups of young people were celebrated for their contribution to society at the 8th Annual Limerick Garda Division Youth Awards.
From organising a flash-mob Sean Nós dance session in a shopping centre to raise money for charity, to overcoming personal health problems, each recipient was a credit to the community, Chief Superintendent Gerard Roche said at the presentation ceremony in the Woodlands House Hotel, Adare.
Among those in attendance were Councillor Stephen Keary and Jim Garvey of Garvey’s Group, who are the main sponsors of the event.
Speaking at the ceremony Chief Superintendent Roche said that the awards were “in recognition of all the wonderful achievements of the young people receiving awards. They are a credit to their family, their community and themselves.”
The six individual and two group awards went to: Maria Campbell, Clodagh Bennett, Nikki Hayes, Kian Hedderman, Aimee Walsh, Jack Clifford Kelly, the Abbeyfeale/Newcastle West Foróige group and the Be Well Youth Advisory Panel (YAP).
Maria Campbell, Raheen (Crescent College) – During the summer, Crescent College Comprehensive student Maria Campbell mobilised students, parishioners, family and friendsto take part in a fundraising virtual walk of 12,532km, the distance from St. John’s Castle in Limerick and St Edmunds Secondary School in Zambia. She raised over €20,000 to fund the purchase and installation of a solar panel system for the school in Muchenje, Chibombo District in Zambia. This school has no electricity therefore students were unable to do any evening or night time study. The school hall could not be used at night time, thus depriving the school and the wider community of a valuable resource. The money raised will go towards the installation of the energy system which will be supervised by Maria’s uncle, Fr. Martin McGowan.
Clodagh Bennett, Rosbrien – Clodagh helps care for her three siblings who have Special Needs. She puts every effort into caring for them and especially throughout the pandemic when her sister was hospitalised with Covid. Clodagh did all the chores, bathing, medication plans, bedtime and kept good routines for her siblings while keeping things real even though times were tough. During all of this, Clodagh completed her Leaving Cert and moved to third level college. She continues to support and spend time with her three siblings. Clodagh was recognised as Munster Young Carer of the Year.
Nikki Hayes, Ballylanders (Scoil Pol, Kilfinane) – Nikki has overcome a multiple number of personal challenges throughout her life. Nikki has Dwarfism and the resulting health difficulties have given her many struggles. Despite this, Nikki remains an extremely positive teenager. She never complains or looks for sympathy. She seeks solutions and, through her massive determination, she takes part in everything from football to all school classes and nothing deters her from doing so. Nikki leads by example and inspires others. She has drive and a never say ‘not possible’ approach to life.
Kian Hedderman, Keyes Park (Southill Hub) Kian is an active member in his community engaging in the Southill Youth Club weekly, attending school, working part time, playing soccer and dedicated to boxing. He is a role model for young people in the community, giving of his free time to volunteer with a boxing programme in the Southill Hub. He shares with young people the benefit of making positive and healthy decisions. Kian spoke at an event organised by the Irish youth Foundation and outlined how the pandemic impacted on his education but that boxing provided him with an outlet to stay focused and keep a healthy mind-set. He is a driven and passionate young man and his ambition is to represent Ireland in the Olympics.
Aimee Walsh, Caherconlish Aimee is a talented musician and ‘Sean -nos’ dancer. With the help of a local dance teacher, she organised 74 children to do an impromptu ‘Sean-nos’ dance in the Crescent shopping centre on a Saturday afternoon. The dance lasted for an hour entertaining staff and shoppers while raising €700 for Crumlin Children’s Hospital. Aimee is very proud of her community and actively involved in GAA as well as being a regular volunteer in the local community centre. She is a trained first responder and hopes to join the Red Cross. During the pandemic she did some baking and delivered her decorated biscuits to her elderly neighbours bringing a smile to their faces.
Jack Clifford, Kilmallock In March 2020, as Covid-19 began to impact on communities Jack Clifford set up a voluntary response group in his home town of Kilmallock. Jack and his team regularly checked in with elderly and vulnerable local people. They did their shopping, picked up medication and any odd jobs they might have needed help with. Even if they didn’t need anything, Jack would visit for a chat while being mindful of the Covid restrictions. His good work was acknowledged by President Michael D. Higgins.
Be Well Youth Advisory Panel (YAP) – Northside Youth Space, Ballynanty. This group of fifteen young people help shape the work of the Be Well Mental Health service which is part of Limerick Youth Service. They work with the community and their peers to strengthen young people’s participation in Mental Health Services, reduce the stigma around discussing and looking for mental health support and work to improve their own understanding of mental health with a view to supporting their peers. In 2021 YAP undertook two exceptional projects. The first saw them launching a video and viral social media project to improve knowledge about the service available to young people. The project called ‘Break the Silence’ (streamed by over 15000 on Facebook) took two years of work and involved the HSE and other mental health services. The second project called ‘My Story’ saw the young people work with the University of Limerick to help improve how young people are informed about suicide prevention in schools.
Abbeyfeale/Newcastlewest Foroige group – Seven young people from the Garda Youth Diversion Project made a very positive contribution to the community by fundraising for a charity, ‘Little Blue Heros’ which provides assistance to young people and families experiencing difficulties resulting from life threatening conditions. This group of young people raised in excess of €800 by collecting in their community and undertook to cycle from Abbeyfeale to Barnagh Return, a trip of 30 kilometres. For each young person this was a personal achievement, taking them on a journey of understanding and empathy and giving them a sense of pride and purpose while helping others less fortunate.
