A YOUNG Southside author, who was honoured at the recent People of the Year Awards, donated the proceeds from his first book to the hospital where his dad died.
Joe Prendergast, from Sandyford, was awarded Joint Young Person of the Year for his motivation, determination and successful achievements in becoming one of Ireland’s youngest authors.
At just 10-years-of- age, Joe has already had one book published and donated all proceeds towards the Clinical Cancer Research Trust at St Vincent’s Hospital.
After growing up with a love for reading and writing, Joe started creating small picture books when he started school.
His decision to donate all the proceeds from the sale of his book to St Vincent’s was in honour of his dad, Geoff, who suffered from lung cancer and died at the hospital last year.
Geoff taught Joe to type at just five-years-of-age and, together with his mum, encouraged his passion for books.
Joe wants to keep writing and if that doesn’t work out he’d like to be a journalist or radio DJ.
Joe was honoured alongside Lynne Cantwell from Stillorgan and Marie Louise Reilly from Dun Laoghaire, who were key members of the Irish Women’s Rugby Team that beat their Italian hosts 6-3 in their fifth successive international victory of the year.
This secured the team its first ever RBS 6 Nations Championship and with it the highly coveted Grand Slam.
Comedian Brendan O’Carroll and brave Donal Walsh, who lost his battle with cancer earlier this year at the age of 16, were among those honoured at the 2013 People of the Year Awards.
Angela Kerins of Rehab, who is chairperson of the Adjudication Panel, said the awards honour unsung heroes from communities across the country whose stories and achievements inspire everyone around them.
“With nominations for each winner coming from the people of Ireland, these truly are the
‘People’s Awards’ and reflect all that is good about our society,
? she said.
Previous People of the Year Award winners include Katie Taylor (2012) Rory McIlroy (2011), PC Ronan Kerr (2011), Graeme McDowell (2010), broadcaster Gerry Ryan (2010), the Irish rugby team (2009), actor David Kelly (2009), autism campaigner Keith Duffy (2008), former Northern Ireland Ombudsman Nuala O’Loan (2008) and campaigner Bob Geldof (2005).