Students from across Ireland who give their time to help in their local community are being encouraged to enter the 2016 Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards before the deadline of 23rd October.

The 2016 programme year marks the 10th anniversary of the Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards, the only all-Ireland youth initiative of its kind which rewards post-primary students for outstanding acts of volunteerism and the positive contribution they make in their local communities and further afield.

The last call for entry is being supported by The National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD), The General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI), Foróige and Scouting Ireland, which partner with Letterkenny-based Pramerica Systems Ireland.

“With only a few days left to enter the 2016 Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards, we are urging youth volunteers from across the island of Ireland to submit their application online before the 23rd October,” said Andrea McBride, vice president, Pramerica Systems Ireland. 

“In this 10th anniversary year, we want to inspire and motivate even more young people to get involved in volunteering, and recognise their dedication and commitment in supporting their local communities. We would encourage all school principals to shine a light on their pupils’ inspirational volunteering stories and enter the awards to celebrate the strength of volunteerism in Ireland.”

Application forms can be completed and submitted online to a principal or deputy principal at www.pramerica.ie/spirit.  Students must complete and submit their applications by 23 October. Principals then have until 6th November to nominate students for national-level recognition. Every school can submit a maximum of two applications to go forward for national judging.

Prizes for the 20 finalists include €500, an invitation to the Gala Awards dinner and fantastic recognition for the school. Two All-Ireland Youth Volunteers of the Year will also be selected from the finalists, each of whom will receive €1,000 for their chosen charity and a trip to the United States.

For further updates on the 10th annual awards, follow the Pramerica Spirit of Community Facebook page and Twitter feed, or visit www.pramerica.ie/spirit. Past finalists, honourees, teachers, partners, supporters and ambassadors are also encouraged to connect with the programme and share their anniversary messages and memories via the Facebook and Twitter pages.

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For further information contact Shane Finnegan or Katrina Frazer at Aiken PR on 02890663000 or Katrina@aikenpr.com   

Notes to Editor

*Key Dates to Remember*• 23rd October 2015: Final date for students to submit applications to principal/deputy principal online• 6th November 2015: Deadline for submission by the principal/deputy principal of student applications• February 2016: Announcement of 20 finalists• March 2016: Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards gala dinner and awards ceremony• May 2016: Two All-Ireland Youth Volunteers of the Year travel to Washington, D.C., for the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards National Recognition Events.

About the Awards

The Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards programme is modelled on The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, which was created in 1995 in the United States by Pramerica's parent, Prudential Financial, Inc. (PFI)*. Since then, nearly 375,000 young Americans have participated in the programme and more than 115,000 have won awards. The programme has been widely praised by educators, government officials, parents and community leaders. Many notable Americans, including former President Jimmy Carter, former Secretary of State Gen. Colin Powell (ret.), former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, former First Lady Laura Bush, former U.S. Senator and astronaut John Glenn, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, sports superstar Magic Johnson, actor Richard Dreyfuss and actress/comedian Whoopi Goldberg have participated in the programme. PFI has introduced the programme in other countries where it has a significant business presence, including Japan in 1997, South Korea in 1999, Taiwan in 2000, Ireland in 2006, India in 2010, China in 2013 and Brazil in 2015.

In Ireland a number of leading public figures have supported and participated in the programme including Bertie Ahern, John Hume, Caitriona Ruane, Mickey Harte, Declan Kidney, John Lonergan, David Coleman, Martin O’Neill and Brent Pope.

About PramericaPramerica Systems Ireland Limited, located in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, began operations in 2000 and has more than 1,250 employees. It provides essential computer-technology and client-contact services to PFI businesses around the world. Its Information Technology group develops software and other systems solutions for PFI business groups and its Operations group functions as a back-office contact centre and delivers a suite of professional service for PFI business groups.

PartnersThe National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) represent principals and deputy principals in the Republic of Ireland at post-primary level. The association aims to provide a united voice for principals and deputy principals.

The General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI) is an independent, self-regulatory body established to represent the professional interests of teachers in Northern Ireland.

Foróige is a leading youth organisation in Ireland and has been working with young people since 1952. The organisation works with 56,000 young people aged 10-18 each year through volunteer-led Clubs and staff-led Youth Projects.

Scouting Ireland is the National Scout Association for Ireland and a member of the World Organisation of the Scout Movement.

Prudential Financial is not affiliated in any manner with Prudential plc, a company incorporated in the United Kingdom.