Kilkenny’s inspirational young heroes honoured at Garda Youth Awards

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A number of incredible young people who make their community a better place to live were honoured at the Kilkenny/Carlow Youth Awards.

The award winners were hailed at a gala dinner at The Woodford Dolmen Hotel which celebrated and honoured the achievements of young people across the two counties.

A total of eight awards were presented to these outstanding young individuals who, by their presence, make their community a better place to live or have shown determination in their own lives.

The award winners, all aged between 13 and 21, were picked from a pool of nominees.

The Group Award went to Kilkenny No Name Club. The club, which consists of 55 teenagers and eight adult leaders, takes part in a variety of activities on a weekly basis.

Together these members demonstrate to their peers that young people can enjoy themselves in an environment that is free from alcohol and other drugs in a variety of ways ranging from weekly meetings, overnight adventure activities, fundraising for local charities, talent competitions, meeting other teenagers from sister clubs around Ireland and supporting each young persons right to enjoy their teenage years.

The members of Kilkenny No Name Club are always willing to participate in events that benefit others. Each year the members take pride in their involvement with a number of charities. The group supports the Special Olympics Ireland Cops ‘n’ Donuts fundraiser and assists at different Special Olympics sports events. The group supports Down Syndrome Ireland in their annual street collections and participates annually in the Pieta House Darkness Into Light event, both through fundraising and raising awareness.

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The No Name Club approached each event with a positive attitude and willingness to participate to the fullest ensuring the project is a success.

The youth members will always bring a sense of positivity, enjoyment and a ‘can-do’ attitude.

Kilkenny No Name Club has a reputation for being open-minded, positive, and having a willingness to embrace any challenge all while supporting each member in developing a variety of skills that will benefit them into their future.

Members use their experiences to develop leadership skills, showing the positive impact young people can have in the community.

The No Name Club are in with a chance of further success as they will go forward to the National Garda Youth Awards, which will be held later this year.

The county celebrations continued as Claudia Gill of Kilkenny College picked up the District Award for Kilkenny.

A transition year student in Kilkenny College, Claudia organised a tractor run to raise vital funds for Laura Lynn Children’s Hospice.

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She displayed great leadership in organising the event which involved 50 tractors travelling from Gowran to Kilkenny College where all the drivers were aged between 16 and 18.

Claudia displayed attention to detail and determination to ensure this was a successful and safe event. Her efforts also had the added benefit of highlighting the work of Laura Lynn’s Children’s Hospice.

As well as actively taking the lead in organising an event that has historically been male-dominated, Claudia actively encouraged more female students to take part in the tractor run and also sought to increase awareness of females in farming.

Through her hard work and efforts Claudia raised €6,300 for a very worthy cause and for the benefit of our community as a whole.

The Thomastown District Award went to Kayleigh Smith, Kate Byrne, Georgia Grant, Katie Tolan and Eibhlin Holden.

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Together the five students engaged in a six-week Drug Awareness Workshop outside of school hours, such was their commitment to this initiative. Following their training they provided workshops to fifth and sixth class pupils, their own school and the wider community.

They used social media to highlight the detrimental and harmful effects drugs and alcohol can have on both the individual and local community. They also produced a podcast titled ‘Leave your mark’.

These young students have set themselves apart as positive role models by investing a lot of their own time to make their community a safe and better place to live.