18 April 2016
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr John Paul O’Shea, will host the Cork County Mayor’s Community Awards on May 11th 2016 in County Hall.
Now in its fourth year, the awards are a public recognition of the amazing work that is undertaken by people throughout Cork, those whose voluntary efforts assist others. Their voluntary work not only improves the lives of the individuals that surround them but also contribute to the betterment of our communities.
Following very successful awards in the last three years, a record number of nominations were received this year. Nominations were made in April by the Elected Members of Cork County Council and the recently established Cork County PPN through its Secretariat, 22 community leaders who were recently elected to the Cork County PPN Secretariat to represent communities throughout Cork. Groups from Charleville to Clonakilty and individuals from Blarney to Bantry have all received nominations, giving up their own time to make our communities better places.
Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr John Paul O’Shea will make eleven awards on the night including three each from North Cork, South Cork and West Cork. There will also be one overall Community and Voluntary Group award and one overall Individual award from within these nine award recipients.
Mayor of County Cork, Cllr. John Paul O’ Shea said “There are many examples of individuals and community groups who carry out incredible work for their respective areas during the year. These awards are recognition of these efforts on behalf of Your Council, Cork County Council”.
The 2015 winners epitomised the very essence of these awards. Margaret O’ Callaghan, who claimed the overall individual award last year, has campaigned for many years to raise the issue of suicide within her local community and established the Suicide Awareness Project in Charleville. Foróige Whitechurch, who cater for young people between the ages of 13 and 17, were the worthy winners of the community/voluntary group awards for their efforts to involve not just the youth in their community, but everyone.
Mayor O’ Shea added “There are so many wonderful individuals and groups in Cork County that afford recognition for the work they do. These awards are set to congratulate all those nominated on the enormous positives they are bringing to their communities and to promote further their commitment to their communities. Their selflessness, energy and enthusiasm are what these awards represent. I look forward to meeting each and every one of these communities and individuals on the night, which is set to be a wonderful community orientated and inclusive gathering”.
