President praises charity-conscious teens
President Mary McAleese honoured the youngsters who dedicate their time to Barnardos.
Presenting the Barnardos Volunteer Awards, and Helping Hands awards, the President said commitments from both the young and the old holds many charitable organisations together.
“Irish society would be a poorer place without the dedication and commitment of people who give so freely of their time to make their community a better place to live,” said President McAleese, patron of Barnardos.
“Barnardos is typical of many voluntary organisations in that it relies on volunteers to shoulder responsibility for a lot of its work.
“For the volunteers there is no reward beyond the fulfilment that comes from doing something that makes another life better, healthier, happier.”
Barnardos, which provides children, young people and their families with support, is supported by more than 200 volunteers who raise funds, staff shops, run the board and work alongside staff.
Barnardos chief executive Fergus Finlay, said too often the youth of Ireland is painted in a bad light. “Barnardos believes that everyone, young and old, can play a vital part in improving society,” he said.
“There are so many young people who have a positive impact in their local communities, giving freely of their time to make a difference.
“With the Helping Hands Awards Barnardos wants to highlight and reward young volunteers for their vital dedication and commitment without whom Ireland would be a poorer place.”
Cousins Ciara Jones and Sophie Harkin, both 16, students in St Dominic’s High School, Sutton, scooped first prize for raising €20,000 for work carried out by the Franciscan Mission in Lusaka in Zambia.
The pair, who won a laptop, also travelled to Zambia for two weeks to work directly with the children, many of whom were infected with HIV/Aids and orphaned.
