Three Leitrim locals honoured with national volunteering awards

Three Leitrim locals have been honoured with awards at the national Volunteer Ireland Awards.

Veronica Kelly and Sarah Wood received the Arts, Culture & Festivals award, while Teresa Condron took home the Health & Wellbeing award.

The awards, which took place in the Carlton Hotel, Blanchardstown, Dublin on Friday, December 2, to celebrate Ireland’s outstanding volunteers.

Veronica Kelly and Sarah Wood volunteer with Leitrim Pride and were pivotal in making Leitrim’s first-ever Pride parade happen earlier this year.

Sarah coordinated with the Gardaí, County Council, and Leitrim Volunteer Centre, and took care of risk assessments and formal applications to all statutory bodies.

Veronica organised community engagement with Tidy Towns and other local businesses and groups, drumming up huge support for Pride throughout Leitrim.

Sarah said, “Our favourite thing has been the reward of seeing the wider community band together to support and celebrate Leitrim’s LGBTQI+ community, especially with our very first Pride Parade in Leitrim.”

Teresa Condron from Rossinver Calling took home the Health & Wellbeing award.

Teresa Condron has been a phone volunteer with Rossinver Calling for three years. Rossinver Calling is a phone service for older and vulnerable people.

It is Teresa’s duty to call all the people on her list, check in with them, and have a chat.

During the pandemic, Teresa helped those who were socially isolated and cocooning. She visited clients and chatted with them through windows.

She also helped with delivering any items they needed, such as medicines and food. She gave people hope and companionship during a very lonely time.

“I enjoy chatting to my different phoneline friends and catching up with them each week,” Teresa said. “Sometimes they reminisce about days gone by which I can relate to, being a pensioner myself.”

According to Leitrim Volunteer Centre Manager, Josephine Stroker, “We are lucky to have kind and generous volunteers like Veronica, Sarah, and Teresa in Leitrim.

“The difference they make in our communities and the lives of local people is immense. These awards give us a chance to say thank you and celebrate the wonderful contribution volunteers make every day.

“I’d like to congratulate Veronica, Sarah, and Teresa, along with all our winners and nominees.”

Eleven category winners and the overall Volunteer of the Year were named at the awards ceremony. The awards are supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development and Healthy Ireland.