A NORTHSIDE man was celebrating recently after picking up an award for his work with one of the world’s best-known charities.
Tom Arnold, former chief executive of Concern Worldwide, was honoured at the 2013 People of the Year Awards.
In 2001, the Lusk native became chief executive of the charity following roles with ACOT and the Department of Agriculture.
A man brimming with energy, passion and drive, Tom’s core vision for Concern was to innovatively use resources available to tackle poverty. Following on from his predecessors, Tom was dedicated to a fight against worldwide hunger.
He introduced an innovative development for dealing with acute malnutrition especially for children. Titled
‘CMAM’ – Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition – this was adopted as a best international practice by the UN and has saved thousands of lives since its implementation.
Tom retired from Concern earlier this year but has left behind an organisation well placed to better work with the world’s poorest people to transform their lives.
Comedian Brendan O’Carroll, from Finglas, and brave Donal Walsh, who lost his battle with cancer earlier this year at the age of 16, were among those honoured at this year’s awards, which are organised by Rehab.
The Irish Women’s Rugby team also received an award. Earlier this year Fiona Coghlan, from Clontarf, was captain of the team that beat their Italian hosts 6-3 in their fifth successive international victory of the year. It secured the team its first ever RBS 6 Nations Championship and with it the highly coveted Grand Slam.