Tipp volunteers honoured by Concern Worldwide
Thurles teacher Deirdre Lanigan was one of three Tipperary people honoured at the annual Concern Volunteer Awards for supporting the humanitarian organisation.
The deputy principal and teacher at Scoil Ailbhe, Thurles was awarded for her work as an adjudicator with the all-island Concern school debates competition.
Deirdre was also part of the debating team that won the Concern Debates contest in 1995 when she was a student at Ursuline Secondary School in Thurles.
OTHER TIPP AWARD-WINNERS
Cashel native and management consultant Aidan O’Gormain also received a Volunteer Debates Award for his work as an adjudicator in the contest.
The chaplain of Rockwell College, Dr Aishling Mulherin, was given the Volunteer Fundraising Teacher Award.
The Tipperary awardees were among the 31 people or groups honoured by Concern at their annual event, which celebrates the vital contribution made by the charity’s 1,500 volunteers in Ireland.
Concern’s Chief Executive, Dominic MacSorley, praised the organisation’s volunteers for helping them to continue to reach the world’s most vulnerable people in countries like Ukraine, Afghanistan, Syria and Ethiopia.
“We are deeply grateful to all our volunteers and donors for their continued support, especially in these difficult times,” said Mr MacSorley.
“Whether it’s through fundraising walks or climbs, shaking a bucket or adjudicating school debates, the commitment of Concern volunteers has kept a flame of compassion alive in communities across Ireland at a time when the need has never been greater in many parts of the world.
“The war in Ukraine has caused a devastating humanitarian crisis, but Irish people have responded with compassion and generosity to the needs of people who have had to flee from their homes.
“Tragically, this war is taking place at a time of already surging humanitarian need, where drought is devastating the Horn of Africa, and millions of people around the world are suffering the consequences of poverty, conflict and climate change.
“I want to thank all of the volunteers, donors, teachers and Concern Debates adjudicators and everyone around the country who provides a key link between the Irish public and the people in need of assistance at this challenging moment in time.”`
Concern’s Volunteer Awards began in 2013 to celebrate the vital contribution made by the organisation’s volunteers in Ireland.
Many raise funds that enable Concern to alleviate poverty and hunger for millions of people in 25 of the world’s poorest countries.
More information about Concern’s work can be found on its website www.concern.net