Two groups of volunteers and two individual volunteers based in South Dublin County were all named winners in this year’s Volunteer Ireland Awards.

Noelle Fitzsimons is a court accompaniment volunteer with Victim Support at Court, providing a safe and supportive environment to victims of all types of crime, their family and friends and prosecution witnesses when they attend court.

Karen Byrne is a volunteer group leader with Children in Hospital Ireland, a charity provides opportunity for children to play while in hospital. Karen manages and participates in the Saturday morning volunteer group at Crumlin Children’s Hospital.

Serve the City volunteers played a central role in helping vulnerable groups and individuals. During the height of the COVID-19 lockdown they responded to the need of 1,000’s of families and individuals who were cocooning and who required supports with the collection and delivery of food, essential household items, fuel, medication etc.

South Dublin County Volunteer Corps  (a project of South Dublin Volunteer Centre). The COVID-19 Test Centre Volunteers worked in Tallaght Stadium initially and later in Citywest Testing site to serve as an effective first point of contact with those arriving for COVID tests – welcoming them and reassuring them, being a friendly and kind face as well as providing an efficient check-in service for those arriving for their test.

According South Dublin County Volunteer Centre Manager Tricia Nolan “We are incredibly lucky to have volunteers like these in South Dublin County. Volunteers are often unseen but the contribution they make to Irish society is immense. These awards give us a chance to say thank you and celebrate the difference volunteers make every day.”

Arthur and Deborah Carr were named Christine Buckley Volunteer of the Year for their outstanding commitment to supporting those in crisis in Galway.

Joe O’Brien TD, Minister of State for Community Development and Charities added “It gives me great pleasure to congratulate all the winners of the Volunteer Ireland 2020 Awards, which are supported by my Department. After what has been a very challenging year for us all, it is all the more important to thank those volunteers who have gone the extra mile to support the most vulnerable in our communities. In addition to the winners, I would also like to thank Volunteer Ireland for their work to support and champion volunteering around the country. “

As a physical event was not possible this year each awardee received a special surprise delivery from Volunteer Ireland announcing their win. It included an engraved trophy, a framed message from President Higgins, complimentary tickets to EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum and of course, a hamper of goodies to celebrate with. All 805 volunteers nominated in this year’s awards also received a special thank you card from Volunteer Ireland earlier this month.