Longford's inspirational 'Go Yellow' team honoured at Garda Youth Awards

Young people from county Longford took home a host of prizes and accolades at the Garda Youth Awards -with the inspirational 'Go Yellow' Meán Scoil Mhuire campaign team winning national and divisional honours.

The ceremony, now in its sixth year, was held at Roscommon County Council buildings recently.

The Longford-Roscommon awards honour outstanding acts of selflessness and courage by young people aged between 13 and 21 years.

Scoil Mhuire TY student Maria McGlynn was inspired to start the ‘Go Yellow’ national fundraiser because of her twin brothers, Edward and Patrick McGlynn, pupils at Melview NS.

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The boys, now aged 13, were born prematurely at 24 weeks.

Their fight for life meant enduring several critical surgeries at the National Maternity Hospital Holles Street and Temple Street Children's Health Ireland whilst being cared for by the incredible staff.

Thankfully the taxing surgeries are now behind them.

The girls were first named as divisional winners during the ceremony before later being informed they had been selected as national winners.

Maria enlisted her friends and classmates Aoibheann Brennan-Grennan, Shauna Nolan and Ava Finneran to help out with the campaign, and she said they were thrilled to win the awards in the 'Group' category.

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"It's an honour, we really were not expecting it and it means so much," she added.

Maria said the fundraising was about supporting Children's Health Ireland and the National Maternity Hospital and "giving back a little bit to them in what they have given to us and so many".

On May 1, all schools and organisations around Ireland were encouraged to take part, by wearing yellow clothes and donating €2 to support these vital organisations.

The novel fundraising idea received lots of traction and support from about 30 schools in county Longford and the Midlands.
The girls easily surpassed their €10,000 target and have raised a considerable amount in excess of that total for the hospitals.

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Deputy Principal of Meán Scoil Mhuire Michelle Keogh said the girls were also nominated for the Irish Youth Humanitarian Awards in May and the recognition was well-deserved.

"This is their second set of awards and definitely they did it all for the purpose of supporting the two hospitals, their motives were very pure and this is all unexpected I think, especially the national one," she said. "I don't think Maria knew there was a national award until tonight."

Master of Ceremonies at this year's awards was Garda Tanya Duffy of Boyle Garda Station and each winner was presented with a certificate, a trophy and a one for all voucher.

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The judges for the awards included Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council, Cllr Mark Casey, Catriona McCarthy, the head of Garda community policing, Dr Cathal Cregg, provincial project and games manager for Roscommon, Sinéad Hussey, the RTÉ Midlands Correspondent and Garda Inspector David Cryan.

Chief Executive of Longford County Council, Paddy Mahon also attended the awards ceremony.

Other Longford winners included the TY students from Cnoc Mhuire Granard who were honoured in the community safety category and they were praised for making their community a safer place to live.

Garda Duffy said the Cnoc Mhuire pupils identified issues within their local community which they felt that through hard work and collaboration they could make an amenable impact.

Garda Duffy explained these issues were not confined to one particular group but covered the entire community from young to the elderly.

"Among the number of initiatives on the table this year's winners engaged with young people on the important issues of bullying and through this engagement they have become positive role models for these children," she said. "This team of community spirited young people also collaborated with Longford County Council in the rollout of the intergenerational text alert scheme helping the elderly by helping them on the use of this app."

The Granard students were unable to attend the ceremony due to an open day at their school, however, Sergeant James Rowan accepted the award on their behalf.

Deputy Principal Sandra Durkan said the school is very proud of their Transition Year students under the guidance of TY coordinator and teacher Jennifer Bratten.

She also thanked Garda Tracy Shanley for encouraging them and inviting them each year to help her with the annual sports day.

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Meanwhile, Longford's Killian Reid won a special individual award for making a positive contribution to his community.

Garda Duffy said he is involved in several community groups, including Civil Defence and has become the face of this organisation at many community events, and he has also assisted in multi-agency initiatives such as travelling to Uganda on an aid mission.

She stated Killian had really impressed the judges with his unwavering commitment to the betterment of his local community.
"Killian is a beacon of light within his community and he embodies all that is good about our young people," she added.
Rebecca Reid (14), from Ardagh, who has lived with epilepsy, won a special achievement award for overcoming difficult circumstances and defying all of the odds.

Gda Duffy said the judges were blown away by Rebecca, who in the face of personal issues, demonstrated a maturity beyond her years in adopting coping strategies to deal with the challenges posed by daily life.

"Our winner has completed her primary education and is looking forward to pursuing their second level education," she said. "Our winner has a very positive attitude towards life and has become an ambassador for Epilepsy Ireland through participation in educational videos highlighting first aid and awareness of this condition."

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Another Longford student recognised and honoured was Beau O'Connor, St Mel's College, who was presented with a certificate of nomination in recognition of his positive contribution to his community.

Beau was nominated by his principal Malachy Flanagan, for his "selflessness and unwavering support to his elderly neighbour" who he helps and assists on a daily basis by giving up his free time".

Mr Flanagan described Beau as a fantastic young person who was a deserving winner.

"He is very caring and he went out of his way to assist a lady who was visually impaired," he said. "He is a great ambassador for the school and we are very proud of him as are his family," he added.

Garda Duffy, also commended Beau for his dedication and care as she welcomed him to accept the certificate and told him he was an "inspiration for all of your peers".

YDP (Youth Diversion Project) Longford were recognised and honoured after they collected money from a bake sale for Cian's Kennels, while Longford received a certificate for being a nominee in the group section.

Longford teen Karol Szumiec (17) was also presented with an award for a special achievement for overcoming difficult circumstances and defying all the odds when he moved away to live independently.

The Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council, Cllr Mark Casey addressed the nominees on the night and he insisted they were all winners and the youth are marvellous in the area.

"On behalf of the people of Longford, well done to everyone," he added.