CHAMPION VOLUNTEER WINS COMMUNITY SPIRIT AWARD
Cork International Hotel looking for nominations for the Community Spirit Awards
Passage West man Francis McEveney has been chosen as the latest winner of The Cork International Hotel Community Spirit Award.
For many years, Francis organised the enormous ‘Passage West Ladies Football Blitz’, an All-Ireland under-age Gaelic Football blitz for girls which regularly had attendances of over 5,000 people. He remains involved as a valued member and volunteer of Passage West GAA Club.
Charity and volunteerism is also a huge part of Francis’ life and annually he decorates his house for Halloween in order to raise funds for Marymount Hospice. This year he created his biggest ever display and attracted large numbers of visitors to see the decorations and make a donation to the charity.
General Manager of the Cork International Hotel, Carmel Lonergan said: “Francis is a wonderful example of a champion volunteer and a great advocate for women’s sport. Francis started the ‘Passage West Ladies Football Blitz’ in 2008 as he was keen for his own daughters to play the sport. Since then, it has grown from 8 teams initially to 133 teams from 15 counties competing in 2019. Francis also raises community spirits of a different kind with his spectacular Halloween displays every year. They truly need to be seen to be believed. He has succeeded in generating thousands of euro for Marymount Hospice.”
Earlier this year the search was launched for unsung heroes in Cork. The new award was established to honour volunteers who are making a significant contribution to their community. “The Cork International Hotel Community Spirit Award” sees a group or individual chosen every month with an overall winner selected at the end of the year.
The awards are open to community groups and organisations in Cork from first-responders to community centres, victim support services to sports groups and those volunteering in the health and disability sectors.
Jack White of the Carrigdhoun said: “These awards are a great way to pay tribute to the important community groups and volunteer organisations in our locality. So many people have pulled together this last year and gone above and beyond and we want to recognise that. It is very important for us to honour the amazing people in our community.”
The awards, which are sponsored by The Carrigdhoun Newspaper and Gerald McCarthy Giftware, will take place in a large geographical area in South Cork stretching from Rochestown, Douglas and Togher to Kinsale, Crosshaven and Passage West.
The judging panel comprises of a mixture of public and private sector representatives from the community.
The judging panel for this award was:
- Carmel Lonergan General Manager Cork International Hotel
- Nicola Radley Senior Executive Officer, Municipal District Operations & Rural Development at Cork County Council
- Aisling Killilea Bank of Ireland Manager Carrigaline and Douglas
- Vincent O’Donovan Carrigdhoun
- Jack White Carrigdhoun
Nominations are open now here