IN AN emergency medical situation, most people panic or dial 999, but can’t do much to help a person in trouble on the spot.
Not only does Sarah Daly, assistant unit officer for Irish Red Cross Novice and Youth Units in Limerick, know what to do, she’s a dab hand at teaching others.
Sarah was awarded the title of Instructor of the Year at the Annual Volunteer Awards.
With just two years of service, Sarah “has demonstrated remarkable dedication, creativity, and a natural talent for inspiring and educating young people,” according to the Red Cross award decision makers.
“Sarah’s outstanding knowledge of First Aid Response and her commitment to excellence are evident in the 200+ duty hours she has logged already this year.”
Irish Red Cross Secretary General Deirdre Garvey said “Sarah Daly exemplifies what it means to be an exceptional instructor. Her creativity, dedication, and ability to connect with youth have made a lasting impact on our organisation. We are thrilled to honour her as Instructor of the Year.”
Kate Keane from the Limerick branch was named Newcomer of the Year, and was honoured for “her extraordinary commitment, leadership, and impact since joining just two years ago”.
“Kate has quickly become a cornerstone of the Irish Red Cross community. Serving as both an Assistant Unit Officer and an Instructor for Novice Youth Units, her dedication goes far beyond her primary roles. In January 2024, Kate assumed the additional responsibility of Social Officer, bringing her enthusiasm and organisational skills to foster stronger connections among members”.
Over the past year, Kate has logged over 200 duty hours as an emergency first responder and also teaches first aid responder courses.
And Limerick scored the hat trick with Limerick’s Eoin Hayes honoured as Unit Member of the Year in their annual Volunteer of the Year Awards.
“As the assistant area director of units, Eoin consistently demonstrates exceptional technical innovation and leadership. From implementing SumUp payment systems and QR code-based solutions to developing digital AED checklists, his forward-thinking initiatives have modernised essential processes and strengthened operational efficiency across the branch,” the judges said.
“In addition to his technical prowess, Eoin is a highly reliable emergency medical technician and a skilled emergency first response instructor, ensuring both seamless care delivery and top-tier training. He is lauded for going above and beyond his role, contributing IT support, streamlining operations, and maintaining essential branch infrastructure. A strong team player, Eoin has dedicated hundreds of duty hours, expertly managing city-wide responsibilities.”
