2017 Pramerica Spirit of Community Award finalist Eoghan Kenny from the Patrician Academy, with Andrea McBride, Vice President, Pramerica Systems Ireland, and guest of honour Jordi Murphy.
In recognition of the exemplary work he carries out in his local community, Patrician Academy student Eoghan Kenny was honoured at the 2017 Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards gala awards’ ceremony, held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Dublin last weekend. As a 2017 finalist, Eoghan was selected for the honour from amongst hundreds of youth volunteers from across the island of Ireland and received €500 and a silver medallion, presented by Irish international rugby player Jordi Murphy. Eoghan, a fourth year student at the Patrician Academy, was motivated to give back to his community following a devastating fire at his school. He is dedicated to volunteering in order to positively impact his community and does this any way he can. His volunteering activities can’t be limited to one organisation or group of people. He helps out at his local church and gives time to read at Mass, and is a member of the Mallow Parish Pastoral Council. He led his school council in organising Christmas food hampers for local charities and gave his time to help at a Christmas party for the elderly in his area. Eoghan also trains the local under 11 hurling and football teams for two hours twice a week, and is also volunteering with the organisation team behind the Munster Maths and Science Fair.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Jordi Murphy said, “I feel honoured to have met such dedicated and committed young people who give their free time to helping others in their communities. It is testament to all of the finalists’ characters to be shortlisted for these awards, and I hope these young people continue to inspire others like them to give back to their local community and further afield.”
The two All-Ireland Youth Volunteers of the Year named on the evening were Emily Duffy, a student at Desmond College, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick and Lucia Quinney Mee, a student at Cross and Passion College, Ballycastle, Co Antrim.