Cork's Dayna is named youth volunteer of the year

Two Cork teenagers yesterday celebrated their work and friendship which earned one a gold medal as being among the country’s top young volunteers.

With a smile bright enough to be seen from Donegal, where Dayna Ní Shíocháin got her prize this week, Kayleigh Twomey welcomed her friend and helper back to school yesterday morning.

“I love Dayna. She is very good and helpful,” said Kayleigh, using the letter chart on her desk at Gaelcholáiste Mhuire at the North Monastery on Cork’s northside.

Kayleigh is in second year, and her cerebral palsy means she cannot speak, and also needs help eating and drinking. But as well as special needs assistants Sandra Bell and Lorraine O’Sullivan, and a team of caring teachers and classmates, Dayna has been giving Kayleigh extra support since she came to the school two years ago.

The award recognised her for her homework visits to Kayleigh most evenings after school, where she helps with her feeding as well as being a great friend. She also looks after her in school.

Dayna, from Watergrasshill, and Elysha Ní Chuláin from Bunratty, Co Clare were named as 2014 all-Ireland youth volunteers of the year at the Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards. They got their medals from Republic of Ireland soccer manager Martin O’Neill on Wednesday night.

Elysha, a student at Coláiste Íde in Dingle, Co Kerry, volunteers with Our Lady’s Hospital in Crumlin and fundraises for Barretstown Camp in Kildare, having spent a decade in hospital after a brain tumour diagnosis when she was five.

For Kayleigh’s family, Dayna’s support is hugely important. “It’s great seeing Kayleigh being able to have someone her own age who’s able to help her. And she was delighted to see Dayna getting the prize, it’s really well deserved,” said dad Vincent.

Next, Dayna and Elysha are off to Washington, DC, to represent Ireland in Pramerica’s World Spirit of Community Awards in May.

“I was just hoping to get some nice food, so when my name was called, my mum had to push me out of the chair I was so shocked,” said Dayna, 17.

Her younger sister Jenna Grace has developmental challenges, and Dayna’s work with Kayleigh has helped her decide what she might do in college: “I’m thinking about early childhood studies, and maybe then focusing on special needs.”