Local nominess at volunteer awards

TWO Northside volunteers were shortlisted for the recent Volunteer Ireland Awards 2014, the national awards that celebrate volunteering in Ireland.

Linda Gaffney and Stephen O’Gara attended a gala Volunteer Ireland Awards ceremony in Dublin City Hall on December 4, along with 28 other shortlisted volunteers.

Linda volunteers with Whitehall Colmcille GAA club and in her local community. She also recently volunteered with the Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA), Special Olympics Ireland, the Garda Reserve and with an initiative to help get unemployed people back to work.
Linda currently coaches an under 13s’ football team at Whitehall Colmcille GAA club. She’s been involved with the club since it began 11 years ago.

Stephen has dedicated his life to volunteering for the Irish Coast Guard and despite working as an operations manager and being a father-of-four (the youngest being just eight-weeks-old), he’s available 24 hours a day to help those in need.

He attends over 70 calls a year with The Irish Coast Guard, often going straight from a difficult night’s search on the cliffs of Howth to bringing his children to school and attending a busy day’s work.

Commenting on Stephen and Linda’s shortlisting for the Volunteer Ireland Awards, Edwina Dewart, Manager of Dublin City Volunteer Centre said:

“We are thrilled that Stephen and Linda have received national recognition for their incredible work.

“Volunteering is the life blood of hundreds of charities, sports club and community groups in Dublin.

“The Volunteer Ireland Awards is all about shining a light on the unsung heroes in our community. Well done to Stephen and Linda and to everyone volunteering week in, week out to help make Dublin a better place to live

?.

The

‘Volunteer of the Year’ award has this year been named in honour of Christine Buckley, co-founder of the Aislinn Centre and tireless campaigner against institutional abuse. Over 500 nominations were received for this year’s awards.

For more information on the Volunteer Ireland Awards 2014 or to read the inspiring stories of the shortlisted volunteers, visit the volunteering website at www.volunteer.ie.