Irish International rugby player Jordi Murphy is taking time out from training to honour Ireland’s top youth volunteers at the 2017 Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards which are taking place on 23rd March at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dublin.

Jordi, who hopes to be back playing in May following his injury in the famous victory over New Zealand last November, will present Ireland’s top 20 youth volunteers with their awards and announce the two All–Ireland Youth Volunteers of the Year at the gala awards dinner.

Speaking about the awards, Jordi, who is currently in his final year studying for a BA in Business & Entrepreneurship said, “This year’s shortlist of finalists is truly inspiring. These young people are amazing ambassadors and play a vital role in their local community helping those who are less fortunate than themselves. The awards are a great opportunity to encourage other young people to get involved in volunteering activities which have such a positive impact not only at home but  further afield as well.”

The Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards is 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. The programme is run in partnership with The National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD), The General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI), with support from organisations such as Volunteer Now, Volunteer Ireland, 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 23rd March at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dublin. At the gala, two of the 20 students will be named All–Ireland Youth Volunteers of the Year, receiving €1,000, a gold medallion, a crystal trophy for their school and an all–expenses–paid trip to the United States in May to participate in the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards ceremonies.

For more information about the 2017 Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards, follow the Pramerica Spirit of Community Facebook page, Instagram and Twitter feed @Pramerica_SOC, or visit spirit.pramerica.ie

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