Cork and Wexford students named All Ireland Youth Volunteers of the Year

Michael Keohane, from St. Fachtna's De La Salle, Skibbereen and Sophie Donnelly, from Presentation Secondary School, Wexford have been selected from amongst hundreds of youth volunteers from across the island of Ireland to receive the title of All Ireland Youth Volunteers of the Year at the 2015 Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards for the exemplary work they carry out in their local communities.

As well as receiving €1,000 for a charity of their choice and a gold medallion, Michael and Sophie will now travel on an all-expenses paid trip to Washington D.C. in May to meet up with youth volunteers from across America and participate in the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards ceremony.

Working to promote youth mental health, Michael helped to establish the ‘Youth in Action’ project ‘Skibb Scenes’ offering cinema facilities and a social outlet to young people in the local community. He set up supportive workshops around the theme of ‘Skibb Smiles’ and through the C.O.P.E Foundation in Skibbereen worked closely with clients suffering intellectual disabilities. In August 2014 Michael took on his biggest challenge with the Aurelia Trust and travelled to Romania to work with young disabled adults who had been institutionalised from birth.

Since the loss of her sister to suicide, Sophie became passionate about raising awareness of how common mental illness can be through promoting the message “it’s ok not to feel ok”.   In 2013, Sophie undertook a training week at St Patrick’s mental health hospital.  Since then, she has held a ‘Walk in my Shoes’ day at her own school as well as introducing it to other schools throughout Wexford.  The event encourages students and teachers alike to wear mismatched shoes in order to appreciate how those suffering from mental illness feel when being judged by others. Sophie is a keen participant in Cycle against Suicide (CAS), having cycled both in this event and their monthly spin off programmes.

The only all-Ireland youth initiative of its kind, the Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards programme recognises young people for their motivation, service and impact on their local community across the island of Ireland.

“All 20 finalists tonight have been truly inspiring. I know first-hand the dedication and commitment that volunteering requires and it is an honour to be able to acknowledge these young people who are continually giving back to their communities.” said Brent Pope, former New Zealand rugby player and coach, during his keynote address.  “Michael and Sophie are extraordinary youth ambassadors who are actively making a difference in their communities and it has been a pleasure to present their awards this evening.”

The programme run in partnership with The National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) and The General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI), recognises outstanding acts of volunteerism by Ireland's youth. Highly commended in the junior category were Ian Armstrong from Portora Royal School, Enniskillen and Denis O'Sullivan, from Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal, Blarney.

“The awards give us the opportunity to recognise and showcase young people’s commitment to volunteerism and tonight’s 20 finalists are no exception,” said Andrea McBride vice president, Pramerica Systems Ireland.  “Their stories are truly remarkable especially, especially those of Michael and Sophie who have proved to be wonderful role models and inspiring leaders of the future.”

The selection committee that chose the two All-Ireland Youth Volunteers of the Year were Andrea McBride, Vice President – Systems, Pramerica; Ivan Arbuthnot, Chairperson, GTCNI; Clive Byrne, Director, NAPD; Wendy Osborne, CEO, Volunteer Now and Nina Arwitz, CEO, Volunteer Ireland.The 2015 Finalists

• Ian Armstrong, Portora Royal School, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh• Laura Beston, Mount St. Michael Secondary School, Claremorris, Co. Mayo• Tamara Bradley, St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar, Co. Donegal• Garreth Byrne, St. Gerard’s School, Bray, Co. Wicklow• Megan Daly, Our Lady’s Grammar School, Newry, Co. Down• Colm Devine, St. Louis Grammar School, Ballymena, Co. Antrim• Roisin Dick, St. Louis Secondary School, Monaghan, Co. Monaghan• Noreen Donaghey, Loreto Convent, Letterkenny. Co. Donegal• Sophie Donnelly, Presentation Secondary School, Wexford, Co. Wexford• Nathan Goodall, Enniscorthy Vocational College, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford• Michael Keohane, St. Fachtna’s De La Salle, Skibbereen, Co. Cork• Stephen Loftus, St. Muredach’s College, Ballina, Co. Mayo• Hollie Martin, St. Angela’s College, Cork, Co. Cork• Graham Nelligan, Mercy Mounthawk, Tralee, Co. Kerry• Eleanor O’Brien, Salesian College, Pallaskenry, Co. Limerick• Sarah O’Neill, St. Anne’s Secondary School, Tipperary, Co. Tipperary• Denis O’ Sullivan, Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal, Blarney, Co. Cork• Caoimhin Osborne, St. Louise’s Comprehensive College, Belfast, Co. Antrim• Rebecca Scott, Mercy College, Belfast, Co. Antrim• Aileen Toner, Our Lady & St. Patrick’s College, Belfast, Co. Antrim

The full biographies of all finalists are available at www.pramerica.ie/spirit