8 CASTLEKNOCK GAZETTE 27 October 2011
AWARDS: VOLUNTEERS
EVENT D15 Chamber President’s Gala presentation
Search for local heroes VOLUNTEER Ireland is calling on Dublin residents to nominate an outstanding volunteer in their community. It’s the last chance to help local heroes achieve national recognition and the deadline for Ireland Involved Awards is Monday, October 31. The awards celebrate the extraordinary work of volunteers across the county. Dublin residents are now invited to nominate an individual that has done something for the community.
The Award scheme, sponsored by Panadol, will shortlist 30 outstanding individuals. CEO Yvonne McKenna said: “The Ireland Involved Awards are an opportunity for us to truly recognise and say thanks to those people who have had a remarkable impact on the lives of others; 2011 is European Year of Volunteering, one of the objectives of which is to celebrate volunteering.” Check out www.irelandinvolvedawards.ie to nominate.
D15 Chamber President, David Donnelly, (centre), presenting the winners, Blanchardstown Ford in Coolmine
Blanch Ford win top D15 honour Q LAURA WEBB
castleknock@gazettegroup.com
A LOCAL campaign that raised money for the D15 hospice and other local organisations, while highlighting the tremendous work done by local residents, has won the D15 Chamber President’s Award. Blanchardstow n Ford in Coolmine, was declared the winner of the D15 Chamber President’s Award during the glittering D15 Chamber Business and Community Gala presentation ball. Over 200 people from local business and community groups attended the event at the Crowne Plaza Blanchardstown Hotel. The winner of the prestigious award is chosen by the President
of the D15 Chamber, David Donnelly. Delighted with the win, Enda O’Connor m a n a g i n g d i r e c t o r, Blanchardstown and Finglas Ford, said the hard work paid off. “It’s a super win. It was so nice to get some recognition for the campaign. “The president could have given it to anyone, so we are ver y honoured.”
Campaign When asked if this campaign is something the company might look into again, he said: “I think we have to. There is a model there now. I think we would allow more time to do it this time. “The main basis was to support the D15 hospice and they received
€56,000 out of the €150,000 that went to different local charities and organisations. “It was also a great way to highlight the amazing work that is done in the community by so many different people,” he said. T he Unsung Hero campaign ended earlier this year in May. Over 74,000 votes were cast for nominated heroes from areas in Dublin 15 and Finglas. In total, €150,000 was raised through corporate donations and raffle sales, with €25,000 donated by the company behind the campaign, Blanchardstown and Finglas Ford. Of the money raised, €40,000 went to the Dublin 15 St Francis Hospice. As well, 60,000 was
divided out between the 10 unsung hero finalists to give to a charity or organisation of their choice. A further €20k was spread out between 20 local charities and organisations in D15 and Finglas. Raffle prizes worth €25k were won throughout the campaign, and the remaining €5,000 goes towards the running cost of a minibus that one lucky organisation won for a year. A number of heroes donated their winnings to the D15 hospice, which meant the hospice actually received a total of €56,000 from the campaign. The winner of the Unsung Hero campaign 2011 was Valerie Murphy, of the East Finglas Scouts.