Twenty youth volunteers from across the island of Ireland have today been announced as the finalists of the 2016 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.

“These inspiring young people from across the island of Ireland are supporting a broad range of charities and organisations through their selfless acts of volunteerism, from working to support mental health to raising funds for cancer research to helping the homeless,” said Caroline Faulkner, senior managing director, Pramerica Systems Ireland.

“The high calibre of entrants is exceptional in the program’s special 10th anniversary year, and we are honoured to recognise Ireland’s youth who are committed to volunteerism. We continue to be inspired by the extraordinary work these future young leaders are doing to make a difference in their local schools, communities and abroad, and they are a benchmark for other young people to strive towards.”

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 with special guest speaker Niall Breslin, Irish musician and former Westmeath Gaelic footballer and Leinster Rugby player.  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.

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 20 finalists are:- Annagh McBreen, from Bailiebrough, Co. Cavan- Adrian McMyler, from Buncrana, Co. Donegal- Aoife Harrington, from Athy, Co. Kildare- Carla McErlean from Kilrea, Co. Derry- Chloe Austin from Lurgan, Co. Armagh- Cian O Grady, from Limerick- Curtis Johnston from Antrim town- David Boyce, a fifth year student from Askeaton, Co. Limerick- Emma Moriarty from Walkinstown, Dublin- Grace Ferrick from Curracloe, Enniscorthy- Grace Fitzpatrick from Belfast- Helen McFadden from Castlebar, Co Mayo- Katie Callaghan from Newtownabbey, Co Antrim.- Lauren McAreavey from Belfast- Nathan O'Kane from Antrim town- Rachel Hurley, from Ballyburden, Cork- Rosin McErlain from Portglenone, Ballymena- Róisín Neville from Cork- Sarah Connor from Ballybrit, Galway- Vanessa Donovan from Kevin Street, Dublin

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