Volunteer Ireland Awards 2018 Now Open For Nominations

Cork Volunteer Centre is calling on the public to help recognise kindness in their communities by nominating a volunteer for the national Volunteer Ireland Awards. The awards were launched by Ireland’s Got Mór Talent Presenter James Kavanagh. Each year Cork Volunteer Centre asks the public to nominate the volunteers in their lives to shine a light on what goes on behind the scenes in communities across Cork every day. There are eleven different award categories, along with the prestigiousChristine Buckley Volunteer of the Yearaward.

According to Adam Lacey, Placement Officer in Cork Volunteer Centre  “Over 1 million people in Ireland volunteer but many of us don't see all the amazing volunteering that happens around the country, on a daily basis. We want to recognise and share the stories of the people who help their neighbours, who save lives, who plant flowers and who generally make their communities a better place to live. But we need the public’s help. Last year we were delighted to have 7 nominees shortlisted for awards from Cork with Ballyphehane / Togher Community Arts & Crafts Initiative winning the Outstanding Group award. We look forward to seeing lots more Cork volunteers and organisations nominated this year.”

Each volunteer that is nominated will receive a special thank you card from Volunteer Ireland for their hard work and dedication. The nominations will eventually be whittled down to a shortlist of outstanding volunteers who will be invited with their family and friends to an awards ceremony in Dublin in December where they will be honoured and celebrated. Nominations can be made online and will remain open until Friday 5th October. All shortlisted applicants (except the Volunteer Manager and Outstanding Group categories) are automatically eligible for the overall Volunteer of the Year Award. Nominations close at midnight on Friday 5th October and can be made online at www.volunteer.ie. The Christine Buckley Volunteer of the Year Award along with the eleven category winners will be announced at a gala awards ceremony on Friday 7th December in the Carlton Hotel, Blanchardstown, Dublin. All shortlisted nominees along with their guests will be invited to the ceremony to enjoy a much-deserved night of celebration. Read more about the awards here. For more information contact: Amy Woods, Volunteer Ireland – 085 717 9261