A Co Clare man has been honoured at the 2019 Hidden Hearing Heroes Awards at a special ceremony celebrating their incredible courage, generosity and acts of kindness.
Scooping the Overall Winner award in the Super Hero category was Ennis native and fundraising supremo Dermot Cosgrove.
The Clare man has completed some heroic feats to raise money for Dogs For The Disabled, a charity 100% reliant on donations to survive.
The star-studded event at the Intercontinental Hotel in Dublin was hosted by broadcaster Mary Kennedy today who said: “It’s a privilege to be part of this wonderful tribute to human goodness.”
Hidden Hearing, the leading healthcare brand that spearheaded the introduction of hearing tests to the high street, created the Awards in 2011 to honour ordinary people who do extraordinary things and they have grown in popularity year on year.
Managing Director Stephen Leddy noted that it was a “humbling” experience reading the hundreds of nominations from all across Ireland.
“The Hidden Hearing brand alone cannot create heroes — we rely on real life stories and once again, we were overwhelmed by the huge response from the public,” he declared.
The Awards have ten different categories with an Overall Winner and Special Recognition winner in each one.
Dermot hiked the 200km Arctic Circle Trail on his own, one of the most remote terrains on Earth. He also trekked another 200km across the French Pyrenees. In the process, he raised a massive €11,000 and counting. Next year he will embark on a 600km solo hike across Iceland.
Speaking from north Africa where he is currently on a trek, Dermot said it was a “great honour” to win the award in recognition of his fundraising efforts over the past three years.
“It also recognises the fantastic work of Irish Dogs For The Disabled and all they do in the disabled community. They are a real lifeline.”
Dermot admitted his epic hikes had taken a toll on his body. “But the damaged feet, aches and pains, sore knees and ankles and shoulders are all made worthwhile when you see all the important work done by the charity.”
Celebrities in attendance at the Hidden Hearing Heroes Awards included broadcaster Marty Morrissey, Lottery presenter Nuala Carey, author Cathy Kelly, Morning Ireland’s Bryan Dobson, rugby legend Tony Ward and ex Fair City star Jenny Dixon.
The Awards also saw Hidden Hearing donate €2,000 to charity Hugh’s House, a sanctuary in Dublin offering free accommodation to parents from outside the capital with ill babies in Temple St, Holles St and the Rotunda hospitals.