A FINGLAS grandfather and pillar of the community has been recognised for his tireless work for charity and those in need.
Eamonn Stanley, who was nominated by his daughter Karen for the Woman’s Way Local Hero award, is well known to many in the local community for his work with St Vincent De Paul (SVP).
Eamonn, a former Guinness worker who retired 12 years ago, also works with meals on wheels, volunteers at Kerdiffstown Holiday House in Naas and tutors those dealing with literacy and numeracy difficulties.
It’s this busy, inspirational and altruistic schedule, which made Mr Stanley the well-deserving winner of the Local Hero award, according to his loving daughter Karen.
“My dad has thrown himself into voluntary work since he retired,
? she explained.
“He always thinks of others before himself and any time he’s asked to do anything as part of his voluntary work he’ll jump at the chance.
“As the years have gone on he’s got more and more involved. He’d never think he’s a hero himself, so that’s why I nominated him.
?
Eamonn described what motivated him to devote his time to those in need.
“For the last 20 years I felt life was so good to me and I wasn’t giving anything back to society, so I made a vow to help make society that little bit better,
? he stated.
“St Vincent de Paul were recruiting in our local parish and 10 or 12 of us were recruited. I would manage the bills at home so I volunteered to be treasurer, and I didn’t know what I was letting myself in for.
?
Not only is Eamonn treasurer with the Finglas branch of the St Vincent de Paul, he also divides his time between working with meals on wheels, volunteering at the SVP run Kerdiffstown Holiday House for the elderly and tutoring those with literacy problems.
“People put in a request, they might be bad at reading or maths and then I get linked with that person,
? he explained.
“Now I only did a basic education up to 14 years of age so I’m upfront and say, ‘I’m just an ordinary person, but I’m willing to help in any way I can.’ I don’t pretend to have qualifications I don’t have.
?
Despite devoting a huge amount of his time to charity work, Eamonn remains modest about the work that he does.
“I find it rewarding, and that’s the funny thing about it, when you give something you really do get something back,
? he said.
Eamonn Stanley’s story features in the latest issue of Woman’s Way magazine.