Dundalk volunteers nominated for Irish Red Cross Awards 2025

Throughout her time with the organisation, Isabella has supported the branch in a wide range of activities including fundraising, duty cover, youth classes, emergency responses, youth education, and representation at national events such as Dublin Pride, National Youth Camp, National Youth Challenge, and the National Youth Forum—where she was nominated for the inaugural Niall Delaney Memorial Award, having previously won the equivalent award at branch level. 

^{Above: Isabella Nordon}

Her impact was especially evident during Storm Eowyn, when she volunteered at the "Happy Hub" in Carrickmacross—a mental health and support space for young people affected by power outages.

"With just one day's notice, Isabella travelled with youth leaders to help set up and run the hub, creating a warm and welcoming environment filled with games, food, and mental health resources. Adult volunteers praised her as a shining example of youth leadership, noting how her presence helped young visitors feel seen and supported." 

Ryan Hayes, the current Unit Officer of the Irish Red Cross Dundalk Branch, has been nominated for a national volunteer award in recognition of his outstanding leadership, strategic vision and success in building a thriving and inclusive unit. With 16 years of service across three different branches, Ryan’s two years in Dundalk have been marked by dramatic growth and professionalisation. 

Since taking on the Unit Officer role, Ryan has transformed the unit into one of the most active and professional in the region. He has substantially increased the number of duties covered, expanded patient transfer operations, and secured consistent contracted duties, ensuring fair and thorough coverage of community events. 

One of his most remarkable achievements has been his commitment to inclusion and integration. Ryan successfully inducted a large number of newly arrived migrants, many of whom faced language barriers.

He tailored weekly training sessions to meet their specific needs, supported their progression through Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) accredited courses, and seamlessly integrated them with long-standing unit members. Thanks to his mentorship, many of these new volunteers now serve regularly on duties, contributing confidently to the community. 

Irish Red Cross said that Ryan truly embodies the Red Cross Principles through his fairness, compassion and unwavering commitment to service. He is approachable and responsive, ensuring that every volunteer feels listened to, valued, and supported in their training and development needs.