Mayo public invited to nominate local heroes for Volunteer Ireland Awards

The Mayo public have been invited to nominate volunteers for the 2024 Volunteer Ireland Awards. 

With nominations now open, the public must put forward volunteers in their community across eleven categories, with one volunteer being named Christine Buckley Volunteer of the Year at the award ceremony in December. 

The Volunteer Ireland Awards take place annually and celebrates the immense contribution volunteers make to communities across Mayo and Ireland alike. 

Mayo Volunteer Centre Manager, Lesley Moore, explained: “Volunteers make an enormous contribution to our communities and in many cases, deliver critical services that may not otherwise be delivered. 

“Their impact cannot be overstated, and that’s why it’s so important to recognise their efforts at a national level. It’s not just to show that we value what volunteers do, but also to showcase the incredible work that goes on across the country and inspire others to get involved.”

Aside from the twelve awards handed out on the night, every nominated volunteer will receive a special thank-you card from Volunteer Ireland. 

The awards are made possible thanks to the support of the Department of Rural and Community Development, and award partners Healthy Ireland.

Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Colm Burke, is ‘proud’ that the Department of Health, through Healthy Ireland, is supporting the Volunteer Ireland Awards. 

“This is a great opportunity to acknowledge the work of our volunteers who give their time willingly for the common good, helping to foster a sense of connection for people in their communities.

“ I’d like to encourage you all to take the time to nominate a volunteer in your local area as a way of thanking them for all that they do,” he concluded.

This year’s Volunteer Ireland Awards will take place in Dublin on December 8.

Nominations can be made on Volunteer Ireland’s website.