Laois Community & Voluntary Awards Junior Volunteer Award winner at 2024 #laoisawards24

Tommy and Sarah Doyle have won Laois Community and Voluntary Awards 2024 Junior Volunteer Award.

This award recognises the outstanding contribution that an individual under the age of 18, has made to their local community. Every community has individuals who are boundless in their energy and determination to get things done, who encourage, support, lead and inspire others in your community.

The award citation said that since joining Durrow Tidy Town, Tommy and Sarah have been a breath of fresh air bringing new enthusiasm, ideas and energy to the group. Both are ever present at all committee meetings, work nights etc and single-handedly managed to get more young people involved in the group.

It added that having them involved has helped Durrow Tidy Towns share the ethos of the tidy towns bringing a new generation on board to carry the torch well into the future.

"Tommy and Sarah, innovative ideas and dedication having such a positive effect on the organisation and wider community, They have fostered a positive atmosphere that uplifts people around them and in doing so has attracted more young people to take part," said the judge Muriel Tobin of Waterford PPN

Clive Davis, People First Credit Union, presented the winner with a Galway Crystal Plate and a gift voucher.

Saoirse Oxley is the Award runner-up. She was presented with the runner-up prize of a gift voucher by Mr Davis.

The other nominees in the Junior Volunteer Award category: 

• Eoin McGarr
• Tia O'Brien
• Clodagh Fitzpatrick
• Tommy and Sarah Doyle
• John Delaney
• Jack Marron
• Veniamin Sahaidic
• Sarah Vesey
• Anna Maria Sahaidic
• Shauna Traynor
• Kieu Conroy
• Saoirse Oxley
• Elizabeth Kerry
• Rebecca Gorman
• Sophie Gorman

This award recognises the outstanding contribution that an individual under the age of 18, has made to their local community. Every community has individuals who are boundless in their energy and determination to get things done, who encourage, support, lead and inspire others in your community.

It is sponsored the Laois Volunteer Centre. Laois Volunteer Centre is a registered charity set up in 2021, to promote volunteerism in Laois. It matches members of the public with suitable volunteering opportunities and helps not-for-profits with volunteer role development, recruitment etc.

The award was presented with the award at a gala reception in the Midlands Park Hotel on Friday, November 8.  

This is the 15th year of the awards which were hosted by Laois County Council in association with Laois Public Participation Network and sponsored by People First Credit Union.

Here are the full profiles of the nominees in the Junior Volunteer category::

Eoin McGarr
Eoin has volunteered his time to help facilitate summer camp in Mountmellick which are targeted camps for children in Mountmellick. He played a huge role in motivating, encouraging and supporting both the other facilitators but most importantly the children attending the camp. Eoin displayed clear signs of leadership, positivity and enthusiasm while engaging with the children. Eoin was patient, kind and respectful towards everyone and when faced challenging behaviour he displayed excellent communication skills to de-escalate the situation. Eoin was a positive role model for the children during the summer camp.

Tia O'Brien
Tia is a member of the Portlaoise FRC senior youth club and volunteers each week with the junior club to support younger children to engage in activities. In 2023 Tia’s idea to help the homeless was developed into a pack that could be given to members of the homeless community. Tia led the progression of this project with packs being distributed containing wool hats, gloves, scarves, and personal hygiene products. Tia was selfless and showed her caring side for others experiencing homelessness without judgment.

Clodagh Fitzpatrick
Clodagh hard work never goes unnoticed by the community. She has been volunteering within the community for a number of years taking part in groups such as the Youth Club, Cruinniú ns nÓg to name a few, Clodagh is always happy to help out and make a difference where possible. Clodagh shows leadership, support and strives to inspire others in her community.

Tommy and Sarah Doyle
Since joining Durrow Tidy Town, Tommy and Sarah have been a breath of fresh air bringing new enthusiasm, ideas and energy to the group. Both are ever present at all committee meetings, work nights etc and single-handedly managed to get more young people involved in the group. Tommy and Sarah have organised several different events to include cake sale and implementing sustainable ideas such as converting storm damaged trees into a fairy house. Having them involved has helped Durrow Tidy Towns share the ethos of the tidy towns bringing a new generation on board to carry the torch well into the future.

John Delaney
John consistently demonstrates an unwavering commitment to serving his local and the wider community, thus making a meaningful difference to the lives of others. John’s tireless efforts and infectious enthusiasm have inspired all of those around him to get involved and lend a helping hand. Within St Abbans, John’s ability to connect with people from all walks of life and make them feel heard and valued is truly remarkable. Through his work in the club, he displays exceptional leadership skills, seamlessly guiding his fellow volunteers and ensuring that everyone enjoys the activities. He is an invaluable asset to any volunteer position.

Jack Marron
Jack as he is an outstanding and hard-working young person. He dedicates his time and effort to help and support both the young and the old as much as possible. As a member of Comhairle na n-Óg he takes time to promote Comhairle and encourages other young people to be active members in the community, have self-confidence to have their voices heard and address the issues that they experience.

Veniamin Sahaidic
Venaimin gives up a lot of his time to help his local community. His long attendance in Laois Comhairle na n-Og has given young people in Portarlington a voice when there is a lack of youth services in the town. Veniamin’s recent appointment as national executive for Laois helps not just Laois but the whole country to ensure young people’s issues are voiced out and addressed. In his town he is often seen helping out with the school or parish helping with graduations or masses and fundraising events with charities. Venaimin has made a significant impact on youth work in Comhairle Laois, supporting youth work by motivating and encouraging other young people to take part in youth work.

Sarah Vesey
Sarah is a valuable member of Comhairle na n-Óg. She supports other young people, ensuring that new members feel welcome, and providing individual support to other young people who might need support and encouragement. As a member of the national assembly, she is committed at a national level to represent young people. Sarah volunteers her time, especially during weekends when other young people have personal activities with friends- she travels to Dublin to represent the young voices and always gives detailed feedback.

Anna Maria Sahaidic
Anna Maria always takes time to volunteer and help other young people to speak up, for example, she sits on the national advisory committee of the RSA youth forum and helps other young people know they have a voice. She has led by example by taking part in litter picking in her local community, and accompanying the elderly.

Shauna Traynor
Shauna’s determination to lead other young people in addressing issues affecting them is phenomenal and invaluable. Shauna goes over and beyond to show a good example to other young people. She chairs weekly meetings, and she contributes tirelessly to helping better the lives of young people all around Laois.

Kieu Conroy
Kieu always been willing to share her talents inside and outside the school community. She has played for the residents and outpatients of Mountmellick Hospital generously gives of her time to school, community and hospital activities and participates with all the school musical community.

Rachel Conroy
Rachel is a kind, caring young lady who wants to make changes and help others. She is quiet and gets the job done. She is proactive and a leader that shows her knowledge and wisdom, helping to inspire leadership in other students. She has given up so much of her time even though she is studying for her leaving cert. With the Shona project, Rachel has led a workshop to all junior girls on empowerment, puberty and knowing your mental health.

Saoirse Oxley
Saoirse is a polite, friendly and positive young woman who was awarded “Student of the Year “ in 2021. Saoirse is very sporty and plays soccer for Mountmellick Utd FC and has also been involved in many aspects of school life such as green schools. By selflessly dedicating her time to fundraise and participate in “Relay for Life” Saoirse has helped raise much-needed funds for Laois Cancer support with money raised going to the Night Nurse service and voluntary driver service. Saoirse truly has made a positive impact on her school and local community.

Elizabeth Kerry
Elizabeth has made a tremendous effort to integrate into a new school at a particularly tough age-related time giving generously of her time to help others, especially those who struggle in class. Elizabeth is an outstanding student who displays kindness, care and courtesy to the entire school community. She is recognised for her willingness to advocate for others and to promote adherence to the rules.

Rebecca Gorman
Rebecca recently volunteered to assist with Laois Relay for Life being pleasant and engaging with the community explaining in great detail what the charity was about. Rebecca has recently been selected as a member of the Meitheal team, being the main mentors and support on the ground for incoming first-year students to Mountmellick Community School.

Sophie Gorman
Sophie joined Mountmellick Tidy Towns 2021 with her twin sister Rebecca who were only 13 at that time and form part of the “Teen Group”. Sophie is always so helpful, not afraid of work and willing to help with any task to improve her town, watering plants and participating in street cleans without hesitation. Sophie has also helped the groups collections and other groups that would need help.

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