Kildare Volunteer Centre hosted a special awards event in March 2023 at the Council Chambers in Aras Chill Dara. The event was to celebrate and mark the huge work of volunteers across Co. Kildare in the past year. Cathaoirleach Fintan Brett was there to thank the volunteers for their selfless dedication to the community and to present the awards.

Manager David Hand who marked one year as Centre Manager acted as MC for the night, and described the work of each of the volunteers who were nominated for awards, and what their impact has been for their peers and community. Tributes were read out to those nominated and to their families who support them to keep going.

The Awards were presented to:

Volunteer Involving Organisation of the Year – North  Kildare (Leixlip) Arch Club

Volunteer of the Year – Bernie Morley (Red Cross)

Volunteer Led Response – Maynooth University, in partnership with Helping Irish Hosts, Irish Red Cross and Kildare Community Volunteers

Community Volunteer of the Year – Joint Award to Arthur Voigh and Terry Coyne

A special award was presented to Victor Purcell on the night to mark his 10 year anniversary with Kildare Volunteer Centre as a volunteer office team member. Victor also volunteers with the Moat Theatre and Gerard Manley Hopkins Festival and it was a well deserved award to mark his contribution to the community.

The event was hosted in partnership with Kildare County Council and the Department of Rural and Community Development

Regional events took place all over Ireland last Summer to acknowledge the contribution of local volunteers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kildare volunteers turned out in force for a memorable evening of music and celebration at the Keadeen Hotel in Newbridge.

Four groups awards were presented (Punchestown Vaccination and Test Centre Volunteers, Naas Order of Malta, Athy Community Spirit and Naas Food Bank) along with 17 individual awards across a wide range of community and voluntary groups.

Award winners received a personal letter of thanks from Taoiseach Micheál Martin and a unique commemorative badge.

Our sincere thanks to everyone who organised, attended and participated in this very special event. It was wonderful to be in a room with all of you again to share stories and mutual respect. We hope you enjoyed your evening. You deserve all of this and so much more

This event was funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and held in partnership with Volunteer Ireland and Kildare Volunteer Centre.