- Renowned Irish musician, retired professional rugby and inter-county football playerNiall Breslin to honour Ireland’s top 20 youth volunteers at gala awards dinner

Multi-platinum selling songwriter and music producer Niall Breslin (Bressie) is taking time out from coaching on The Voice of Ireland to honour Ireland’s top youth volunteers at the 2016 Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards at Lough Eske Castle Hotel & Spa, Donegal on 10th March 2016.

Bressie, an active and passionate mental health campaigner who has motivated others with his charitable work, will present Ireland’s top 20 youth volunteers with their medallions and announce the two All-Ireland Youth Volunteers of the Year at the gala awards dinner.

Speaking about the awards, Bressie, who  recently released his first book, “Me and My Mate Jeffrey,” documenting his own mental health difficulties, said “I am privileged to be able to meet the inspiring young people who have been recognised this year, and support a broad range of charities and organisations through their selfless acts of volunteerism. .

“I know first-hand the dedication and commitment that volunteering requires, and I feel empowered by the incredible work that these young people are doing. They are true ambassadors and play a vital role in educating their peers about the importance of helping those who are less fortunate than themselves. I look forward to the ceremony and hope that these awards continue to encourage other young people to get involved in volunteering activities in their local communities.”

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 programme is run in partnership with The National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD), The General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI), Scouting Ireland and Foróige.

The post-primary students, who hail from all corners of Ireland, will be presented with €500 and an engraved silver medallion at the gala awards ceremony on 10th March at Lough Eske Castle Hotel & Spa, Donegal.  At the gala, two of the 20 students will be named All-Ireland Youth Volunteers of the Year, receiving €1,000 for a charity of their choice, a gold medallion, a crystal trophy for their school and an all-expense-paid trip to the United States in May to participate in the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards ceremony.

For more information about the 2016 Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards, follow the Pramerica Spirit of Community Facebook page and Twitter feed @Pramerica_SOC or visit www.pramerica.ie/spirit

ENDS

For more information, please contact Katrina Frazer at Aiken PR on 028 9066 3000 or Katrina@aikenpr.com  or Harold Banks at Pramerica on 973-216-4833 or Harold.banks@prudential.com