20 outstanding young people have been recognised from across the island of Ireland for the exemplary volunteer work carried out in their local communities. The local students were revealed as Pramerica announced its finalists for the 2018 Spirit of Community Awards, the only all–Ireland youth initiative of its kind.

The programme which is run in partnership with the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) and the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI), rewards post–primary students for outstanding acts of volunteerism and the positive contribution they make in their local communities and further afield.

“Each year I continue to be humbled by the incredible volunteer work carried out by teenagers and young people in towns and villages across Ireland,” said Andrea McBride, vice president, Pramerica Systems Ireland. “From caring for disabled relatives to helping people with learning disabilities, brain injuries and dementia, so much of the volunteering activities that young people are involved in is going under the radar. Our awards programme aims to shine a light on these dedicated students by applauding their achievements and encouraging others to give back to their hometown.”

The post–primary students will be presented with €500 and an engraved silver medallion at the awards ceremony on 22nd March at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. This year the top two Junior Honourees will also receive an additional €500 for their chosen charity for the first time. At the event, 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–expense paid trip to the United States in May to participate in the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards ceremony.

For more information about the 2018 Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards, which is supported by Volunteer Now, Volunteer Ireland, Scouting Ireland and Foróige, follow the Pramerica Spirit of Community Facebook page, Instagram, Twitter feed and Snapchat @Pramerica_SOC, or visit spirit.pramerica.ie

The 20 finalists are:

Diolain Ward, St Joseph’s Boys’ School, Co Derry. Niall Gosson, St Joseph’s Secondary School, Rush, Co Dublin.Ciaran McGinley, St Joseph’s Boys’ School, Co Derry. Éabha McMahon, St Angela’s College, Co Cork.Anna Phelan , Loreto Secondary School, Co Kilkenny.Jessica McMahon, St Wolstan’s Community School, Celbridge, Co Kildare.Daniella Timperley, St Louis Grammar School, Randalstown, Co Antrim.Shane Lawless, Colaiste Bhaile Chlair, Carmore, Co Galway.Áine Sweeney, Loreto Secondary School, Letterkenny, Co Donegal.Rebecca McKersie , Ashfield Girls’ High School, Belfast , Co Antrim.Eimear Byrne, St Pauls Secondary School, Dublin, Co Dublin.Ciaran O’Kane, Loreto College, Limavady, Co Derry.Aimee Melaugh, St Mary’s College, Co Derry.Ariadna Gómez–Kelly, Sacred Heart School, Westport, Co Mayo.Caoimhe Bennett, Loreto Grammar School, Omagh, Co Tyrone.Orlagh Wilson, St Cecilia’s College, DerryGrace Mawhinney, St Louise’s Comprehensive College, Belfast, Co Antrim.Ciana Roberts, Our Lady And St Patrick’s College, Bangor, Co Down.Michael Carroll, Borrisokane Community College, Borrisokane , Co Tipperary.Elaine Magee, The Royal And Prior School, Lifford, Co Donegal.