Youths’ outstanding achievements honoured

A teenager who lost both her father and aunt to suicide and has dedicated her time to promoting positive mental health, and a survivor of cancer who has used her experiences to help others battling the disease have won prestigious youth awards.

Rachel Dhingra, aged 17, from Belgooly, and 14-year-old Rene Murnane Hayes from Bantry won an Overall Award and a Special Achievement Award respectively at the 19th West Cork Garda Youth Awards, presented at a ceremony in Acton’s Hotel in Kinsale, Co Cork, last Friday.

In all, 16 awards were presented with some young people receiving awards in several categories.