Waterford children and young people honoured at annual Divisional Garda Youth Awards

Young people, community groups, and clubs across Waterford were honoured at the Divisional Garda Youth Awards last night

The ceremony which took place virtually saw awards being handed out across a wide range of categories

Category winners and the overall winner were revealed in an online ceremony.

Childerian Choir were recognised for their work in addressing Youth Suicide Prevention.

The winner of the Special Award category was 13-year-old Ballygunner girl, Saoirse Mullaney.

Saoirse suffers with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis.

But Inspector Gavin Hegarty says she hasn't let that hold her back:

"She has gone on to achieve some amazing things. She was National Champion in 2018 and 2019 in Taekwondo. She won gold at the UK ITF International Championships in Crawley in 2019.

"She raises money for the Children's Hospital.

"I suppose, she was recognised not only because of her achievements but because she's so young. Her achievements go well beyond what would be expected of a girl her age, suffering from what she suffers from."

The winner of the Individual category was CBS Dungarvan student, Tom O'Connell.

Individual award winner, Tom O'Connell

Inspector Hegarty says Tom raised thousands of euro after going through a family tragedy:

"Instead of letting it dominate him, he decided to do something about it and he raised €30,000 for the Family Facility in the ICU in Cork University Hospital.

"It's the place where families of people who end up in ICU from Waterford go. So it's a very important space.

"Through his club, which is Brickey Rangers, and through his community he brought people together - even through the COVID/pandemic time.

"And it was hard enough to do something during the pandemic, nevermind raise €30,000 euro."

The full list of award winners can be viewed below:

Award Winner

Childerian Choir – DAY AND CYP projects Dungarvan

Reason for Award

This award is being presented to the Childerian Choir in Dungarvan in recognition for their work in addressing Youth Suicide Prevention.

Following the death of Ms Shauna Hickey, the group produced a music video entitled “last song for Shauna”. Through the use of Social Media and mainstream media the group have raised funds of Suicide Prevention and their work has been recognised throughout the Community as well as receiving recognition from International Singer/Song Writer Louis Capaldi

The Group were nominated by the DAY Project Dungarvan

Award Category	Group
Award Winner	Ballygunner – U-17 group
Reason for Award
Our Next award winner is the Ballygunner U-17 team. Known primarily for their sporting achievements, this group came together in 2020 to raise funds for a fellow sportsman Mark Dalton, who whilst not a member of the club, was involved in Sport at a County level. The group of 28 young people, organised a significant fundraising event which took place during the significant COVID restrictions. The group are being recognised for their selfless contribution to another Young Person in the County of Waterford The group were nominated by Colin Kehoe of Ballygunner GAA

Award Category	Group
Award Winner	Sacred Heart and Ferrybank Scouts
Reason for Award
This award is being presented to the Sacred Heart and Ferrybank Scouts for their organisation of food hampers and Covid Kits for sick and elderly people within the Waterford Community. This group of young people organised, purchased, packed and delivered hampers to the most vulnerable within our Community at a time of significant challenge and crises and for that reason their contributions are being recognised tonight. The group was nominated by Kelley Hall of Waterford Scout County

Award Category	Group
Award Winner	Conor and Kyle Daly
Reason for Award
These two young people are being recognised for their contributions to the Community within the Ferrybank area of Waterford. These two young men continue to return to their Primary School and volunteer in helping to keep the school and the surrounding areas looking its best. Over Christmas the transformed the school into a Winter Wonderland for the current pupils and were featured on RTE news. They have also helped with shopping and grass cutting for members of their Community who have had to self-isolate due to the COVID pandemic. For their contributions to their local community they are being recognised. Conor and Kyle were nominated by Mr David Hearn of Ferrybank BNS

Award Category	Special Achievement
Award Winner	Zoe McLoughlin
Reason for Award
Our first award winner in this category is Zoe McLoughlin. Zoe suffers from Juvenile Idiopahic Arthritis which creates many challenges for her. However, Zoe is very much an advocate for her Community, raising funds for the Irish Children’s Arthritis Network, as well as raising awareness for the suffers of her condition through radio interviews on local and regional radio stations. Zoe has also taken the selfless act of donating her hair to the Rapunzel Foundation and has raised money for other charitable organisations. Zoe is being recognised for her achievements in overcoming challenges and advocating for others Zoe was nominated by her parents, Gwen and Liam McLoughlin

Award Category	Special Achievement
Award Winner	Josh Grant
Reason for Award
Despite many personal challenges, Josh Grant has applied his focus, skill and natural talent in the sporting field. Whilst, it has been sometimes challenging, Josh has succeed in being selected for the Waterford County Football team and for the Waterford Soccer Squad. Josh has been an inspiration to his peers and has shown that it is possible to overcome challenges and obstacles that are put in your way. For displaying exceptional personal growth and for his positive influence on his community and family Josh is being recognised with this award. Josh was nominated by Matt Spinks of the BALL Project

Award Category	Special Achievement
Award Winner	Saoirse Mullaney
Reason for Award
At 13 years of age, Saoirse Mullaney has already faced down a number of significant challenges in her life. Despite having a number of diagnosis, including Juvenile Idiopahic Arthritis, Saoirse has triumphed in her life. Her illness has impacted on her ability to live the life of a normal teenager. It has impacted on her ability to attend school and other activities. Despite these challenges Saoirse has fundraised for Temple Street Childrens hospital and has continued to engage in her chosen sport of Taekwondo, helping to coach those younger than her. In 2018 and 2019, despite the pain she suffers as part of her diagnosis, Saoirse was crowned National INTA champion at her grade and in 2019, Saoirse won Gold at the U.K. ITF International Championships in Crawley. Saoirse is being recognised for her achievements in overcoming challenges and for her contributions to her community Saoirse was nominated by Mr Neil Franks of Master Franks Taekwondo

Award Category	Special Achievement
Award Winner	Richard, Millie and Harry Walsh
Reason for Award
Richard, Millie and Harry Walsh are triplets who have suffered some significant losses in their lives and experienced some tremendously difficult and traumatic events in the past number of years. Despite this, they have shown great resilience and coping mechanisms to overcome these challenges. All three have gone on to noteworthy achievements. Millie, through the Le Cheile Mentoring Programme has been appointed to the Youth Affairs Panel that reports to the Ombudsman for Children The triplets are being recognised for their resilience and achievements in the face of significant adversity. The triplets were nominated by Mr Barry Whelan of the TYRE Project

Award Category	Individual
Award Winner	Tom O’Connell
Reason for Award
Our first award in this category goes to Tom O’Connell. Tom is student in Dungarvan CBS and recently organised a significant fundraiser in aid of the ICU Family facility in Cork University Hospital, raising over €30,000 for the upgrading of facilities at that location. Tom has shown tremendous courage, determination and Leadership, even though a family tragedy and global pandemic , in bringing his Community together, giving people a focus and enabling them to make a real difference. Tom is being recognised for his significant individual contribution to his Community Tom was nominated by Mr Olan Casey, secretary of Brickey Rangers GAA club

Award Category	Individual
Award Winner	Aidan Burke
Reason for Award
Our next award winner is Aidan Burke. Aidan has volunteered with Tramore Care – Meals on Wheels since 2017. He is a valued member of their team and heavily relied on. Despite currently studying for his Engineering Degree, Aidan continues to give as much time as possible to the Community Group. He is describe and a polite, honest and hardworking young person who is willing to give of himself in the service of others. Aidan is being recognised for his individual contributions to the Community and the Elderly Aidan was nominated by MrAidan Farrelly, of secretary of Tramore Care – Meals on Wheels

Award Category	Individual
Award Winner	Georgia Grant
Reason for Award
Our final winner in this category is Georgia Grant. In 2020 Georgia found herself dealing with a medical emergency in Waterford City Centre. Coming to the aid of an elderly gentleman, Georgia, drew on her skills and learning from being a member of St Pauls Scouts to quickly recognise that the man was having a significant seizure. She rendered immediate assistance and sought the attendance of emergency service personal. Georgia is a very active member of her Scout Troop, and is heavily involved in fundraising within the parish and with the organising of Old Folks Christmas Parties. Georgia is being recognised for her contributions to her Community and her response to the emergency incident Georgia was nominated by Breda Murphy of St Pauls Scout Troop.

Award Category	Community Safety Award
Award Winner	Sancia Shaji and Flavia Bascone
Reason for Award
Our first Community Safety Award is presented to Sancia Shaji and Flavia Bascone. Recognising that the lockdown was having a significant impact on their Community, Sancia and Flavia developed a weekly zoom class for their peers, focussing on developing the strengths of kindness, patience and thankfulness. The programmed worked on breaking down barriers within their wider Community, bringing people together and developing a sense of common purpose, which ultimately creates a safer and more vibrant society. Sancia and Flavia were nominated by Sarah Shabour-Shadwick

Award Category	Community Safety Award
Award Winner	The Dacent Banana’s Group
Reason for Award
The Dacent Bananas are a group of young teenagers aged 14 years. Through their project, they engaged in a six week crime awareness programme, following which they developed a Stay Safe in your Home programme for elderly residents in the Ferrybank area. The group consulted widely with statutory and non-statutory agencies in creating Safety packs that were delivered to homes in their Community. The packs contained crime prevention leaflets, advice on bogus callers and leaving home checklists. The group also developed an programme which was due to be presented to Active Retirement Groups, but had to be curtailed due to the COVID pandemic. The group are being recognised for their significant contribution to Community and Elderly Safety within their Community The group were nominated by Ms Majella Keating of the PACT Project

Award Category	Community Safety Award
Award Winner	Ballyduff Lower LGFA
Reason for Award
Ballyduff Lower LGFA (youth section) are nominated for their Community on Call initiative. The group have engaged with in excess of 100 elderly people in their Community, forming friendships, calling with homemade cakes and cookies and engaging with the “have a cuppa” campaign. The group have baked Birthday cakes for elderly persons living alone and have commenced a “penpal” system for engaging with elderly “cocooning” residents of their Community. The initiative has created a ripple effect in the Community and has brought people within the Community together. The effect is that the project has, through contact, created a safer Community for our elderly residents The Group was nominated by Fiona Laffan of Ballyduff LGFA

Award Category	Community Safety Award
Award Winner	Odudu Johnson
Reason for Award
Our Final award in this category is presented to Odudu Johnson. Odudu has been heavily involved in music in Waterford for the past number of years and has been an integral member of the Mount Sion Choir. In 2020 Odudu made contact with the Samaritans Waterford and South East with a proposal to create a Christmas Album to raise funds for the organisation. Odudu used his social media influence to promote the work of the Samaritans and mental health awareness for our young and diverse Communities. Odudu has spent time learning and becoming familiar with the work of the Samaritans and used this learning to inform the album and deliver an important message back to his wider Social Media following Odudu was nominated by Catherine Whelan of Samaritans Waterford and South East