Selfless Southsider wins Volunteer of the Year Award

A SELFLESS Southsider who gives up his time freely to help others in the community has won the Irish Wheelchair Association’s Volunteer of the Year Award 2015.

Thomas Ward, a retired man from Drimnagh, has volunteered with the association’s Harold’s Cross branch for over 30 years.

Thomas supports local people with physical disabilities and others with reduced mobility on a weekly basis.

He visits people in their own homes or in hospital, supports activities organised by the Harold’s Cross branch and assists with fundraising initiatives.

Former RTE newscaster Michael Murphy presented Thomas with the

‘IWA Volunteer of the Year’ award at a ceremony in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santry.

The CEO of the Irish Wheelchair Association, Kathleen McLoughlin acknowledged his contribution.

“From the time the association was founded, volunteers have played a vital role in the success of the IWA,

? Ms McLoughlin said.

“In the early days when no State support was available to provide services, volunteers stepped in to support individuals.

“In doing so they transformed their quality of life. This ethos remains embedded within the IWA today.

“I would like to congratulate Thomas on his award and to thank him for sharing his time, passion and skills and demonstrating a commitment that ensures the IWA makes a difference every day to the lives of people with physical disabilities and reduced mobility.

“The judging panel for the awards, which is made up of two members of the IWA Board of Directors and a representative from Volunteer Ireland had the difficult task of selecting the association’s overall

‘Volunteer of the Year’ from hundreds of nominations.

“The judges were highly impressed by Thomas’s longstanding commitment to local people with disabilities living on the Southside, his generosity and kind personality.

?

Every volunteer plays a valuable role within the IWA, whether it is painting a building, organising a church gate collection, working in one of the association’s 12 charity shops, driving an accessible bus to Croke Park for the Sunday game, or teaching, mentoring or providing opportunities for social interaction.

The IWA is always seeking new volunteers in local communities. For further information visit www.iwa.ie/information/volunteers