Surprise Surprise Dungarvan & West Waterford has been chosen by Waterford Council to represent the County in the 2022 IPB Pride of Place awards.
The announcement was made at the annual Waterford PPN Community & Voluntary Awards, which recognise and celebrate the tireless work of community organisations and volunteers. The annual awards are usually held at a gala event but for the second year running this did not happen due to Covid 19 restrictions.
Surprise Surprise was one of eight category winners (full list below). The Dungarvan and West Waterford outfit is a small charity that helps vulnerable people across the community by delivering hampers, dignity bags and other supplies. What the judges said:
The Surprise Surprise initiative presented a wealth of information about their activities, volunteers, success stories. The submission was excellent, clear and to the point. They are a grassroot organisation that have done a tremendous amount of work with no statutory funding, with more than 100 volunteers involved, through Covid and beyond
New awards at this year's PPN
For the first time, Waterford PPN collaborated with Waterford Volunteer Centre, to introduce two new awards. These are to recognise the efforts of individuals in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Organisers say the pandemic "highlighted the vast resource that volunteers bring to their communities like providing supports to the elderly and vulnerable by bringing groceries, collecting prescriptions, walking dogs, or simply by calling and checking in. Others responded to the growing isolation that was being felt by setting up virtual chat groups or local walking groups when restrictions permitted."
Billy Gallagher -Covid-19 Community Champion
Billy has been volunteering with Waterford City River Rescue for 12 years. Over this time, he has helped save countless lives. He is also the Training Officer, and is renowned for passing down knowledge and instilling a sense of dedication in other crew members.
John Mansfield - Covid-19 Special Project Award
John has been volunteering for many, many years with St Anne’s Court Residents' Association. From cutting grass, growing sunflowers and pumpkins, and engaging younger generations in keeping the place litter free, John enhances the atmosphere in the community. He always has a smile and chat for everyone, and the residents feel they are privileged to have him.
Category winners
- Age Friendly – Waterford Older Peoples Council (OPC)
- Arts, Culture & Heritage – The Walls Project
- Children & Youth – St. Paul's Boxing Club
- Environment– “Top of the City” Community Garden
- Healthy & Active Community– St. Declan’s Way Management Committee
- Residents Groups/Associations - Tournore Court Residents Association
- Social Enterprise – Carbally Community Development Project
- Social Inclusion - Surprise Surprise Dungarvan & West Waterford
Surprise Surprise in Pride of Place Awards
Pride of Place is an all-island competition that acknowledges the work that communities are doing. They're recognised as one of the most prestigious community awards in Ireland. The competition is based on communities demonstrating directly to the judges their pride in their place by oral presentations where they highlight community activities, culture and many other aspects. It is also important that the community demonstrates a real partnership with their local authority and shows that all sectors of the community are included. More here.
For more on awards for Waterford, click here.
