‘She’s always willing to go that extra mile’

DANIELLE BOYLE, one of 70 young people presented with a Gaisce Gold medal award yesterday, believes it has been the making of her.

Gaisce — the President’s Award, is Ireland’s national Challenge Award that recognises achievements by young people who have improved their personal skills, worked in the community and taken part in a travel adventure.

Danielle, 20, from Maryborough in Cork City and a Christ King secondary school past pupil, said Gaisce turned her life around.

“I always found the academic aspect of school very difficult but involvement in Gaisce has given me a platform to better myself in the parts of life that are essential,” she said.

Over six years going from bronze to gold, Danielle got involved in the Special Olympics, learned sign language, improved her computer and photography skills, got involved in a range of sports and had a number of travel adventures.

Danielle, who has just completed a course in childcare and special needs education, wants to become a Gaisce Presidential Award Leader to show how the award can change lives for the better.

Christ King principal, Mary Keane, said the school was extremely proud of Danielle. “She is a worthy recipient of this prestigious award. She has a heart of gold and is always so willing to go that extra mile to meet any challenge that she sets herself,” she said.

Another recipient, Peter Kelly, 27, from Waterford, participated in first aid courses with the Order of Malta from the age of 12 and is now a doctor based in Waterford Regional Hospital.

As well as being a member of the Order of Malta, he got involved in a pilot project to establish Mobile Health, the brainchild of Dr Austin O’Carroll, that provides free primary care to the homeless in Dublin.

For his community involvement, he became a scout leader, a position that allowed him to travel. His final adventure was a 90km trip through the Mexican wilderness over five nights.

“Many aspects of life are difficult and many problems face society. The Gaisce award challenges young people to be ambitious and committed in the face of adversity. The award hones the leader of tomorrow by instilling the attributes of determination, courage and enthusiasm in Ireland’s youth,” he said.

Another award recipient, Karen O'Sullivan, from Greenmount, Cork, is currently completing a master’s degree in analysis of pharmaceutical compounds in University College Cork while working at Glaxosmithkline, Currabinny, Co Cork.

For her gold award Karen, 25, joined the Ballinora/Ballincollig branch of the Red Cross, walked part of the Kerry Way and went surfing. “I’d highly recommend it for personal development and discovering a sense of adventure,” she said.