LIMERICK teacher Patrick Huff was honoured at this year’s Concern Volunteer Awards for his work in support of the Irish humanitarian organisation.
The English teacher at Ardscoil Mhuire was praised for mentoring his school’s Concern Debates team for nearly a decade and for his time spent volunteering as a chief adjudicator for the all-island schools contest.
Mr Huff said he is proud of his work as an adjudicator, which facilitates more young people engaging in important conversations on global and other issues within their own communities
Limerick student Mary-Kate Flanagan was also presented with an award for her work as a debates adjudicator for the past three years.
Mary-Kate is a third year English and History student at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick.
They were were among the 31 people or groups honoured by Concern at their annual event, which celebrates the vital contribution made by the charity’s 1,500 volunteers in Ireland.
Concern’s Chief Executive, Dominic MacSorley, praised the work of the volunteers for helping them to continue to reach the world’s most vulnerable people in countries like Ukraine, Afghanistan, Syria and Ethiopia.
“Whether it’s through fundraising walks or climbs, shaking a bucket or adjudicating school debates, the commitment of Concern volunteers has kept a flame of compassion alive in communities across Ireland at a time when the need has never been greater in many parts of the world.
“The war in Ukraine has caused a devastating humanitarian crisis, but Irish people have responded with compassion and generosity to the needs of people who have had to flee from their homes.
“Tragically, this war is taking place at a time of already surging humanitarian need, where drought is devastating the Horn of Africa, and millions of people around the world are suffering the consequences of poverty, conflict and climate change.
