TWO LIMERICK sisters have been recognised for their work fundraising for Irish based charity, Concern.
Teresa and Francis O’Keeffe received outstanding commitment medals at the annual Concern Volunteer Awards for their work volunteering and fundraising for the humanitarian aid charity.
Between them, Teresa and Francis have raised €46,000 for the charity since 1988, when their mother and her friend Nora O’Keeffe undertook a fast.
It was also in 1988 when Teresa first volunteered to work abroad with Concern.
Teresa still lives in Ballingarry and works in the local O’Grady Spar shop where the first collection started.
She now organises the yearly collection with her siblings and Frances has done the fast for several years.
“I would like to thank all the people of Granagh and Ballingarry for their continued support and a special mention to Nora O’Keeffe who helped us for many years,” Teresa said.
Frances’s first time volunteering with Concern was in Bangladesh in 1988 and she has worked in many other countries since for Concern, including Somalia, Rwanda, and South Sudan. She served on the board of Concern from the mid 90s and was Chairperson between 2010 and 2014.
“In all the countries I have worked, Concern works with the people who are the poorest and supports them to improve their lives through their many different programmes,” said Frances.
“I feel very lucky as I have seen first hand the amazing impact that the money we collect can make to the poorest people in the countries where we work.”
Concern’s Chief Executive, David Regan, applauded their volunteers and said the organisation is “truly grateful” for their support.
