28 Irish Red Cross volunteers from across the country were recognised at an event in the Mansion House, Dublin on Saturday, for giving 50+ years of service to their local communities.
Volunteers from Clare, Cork, Donegal, Limerick, Louth and Dublin were awarded Long Service Medals for their selfless dedication, over five decades, to those most in need. Charlie Flanagan, Chair, Irish Red Cross presented the volunteers with their awards.
Speaking ahead of the ceremony, Charlie Flanagan said, “It really is remarkable that these wonderful volunteers have dedicated so much time and energy to help others. Over an astonishing 50 years, they have committed themselves to their local community. The work they’ve done over those decades – providing first aid support at local events, teaching CPR skills to school students and community groups, offering therapeutic hand massages to nursing home residents, to mention just some examples – have touched so many lives, young and old. Thanks to their quiet, steady leadership, their skills and experience built up over many years, and ultimately their compassion and humanity, our communities are stronger and more resilient.”
Volunteer Patrick McGahey was among the volunteers recognised at the event for an incredible 50 years of service to his local community through the Drogheda branch of the Irish Red Cross. Along with his late wife Ann who was also an Irish Red Cross volunteer, Patrick taught first aid and CPR to local community groups and competed in first aid and casualty simulation competitions across Europe in the 1990s. Patrick was involved in high profile events through his volunteering including providing first aid support during the Pope’s visit to Ireland in 1979.
Patrick believes there should be ‘a first aider in every home’. “Back in the 1980s I used my CPR skills to help a work colleague who had suffered a cardiac arrest. I performed CPR on him until the ambulance arrived and thankfully, he survived,” said Patrick.
“Over the years I’ve felt great satisfaction organising social events for older people in the community, bringing them together to sing, dance and play bingo. I also facilitated respite weeks to Mosney holiday camp and Bundoran for people with disabilities. My late wife Ann and I had some truly great times volunteering with the Irish Red Cross over the decades. People are very appreciative of what we do and that means so much. Through our volunteering with the Irish Red Cross our five sons met so many people from different walks of life, and I think they learned to see the person first, not their difficulty or disability,” said Patrick.
Michael Brennan was a volunteer with the Adare Limerick branch of the Irish Red Cross for 50 years. Michael was involved in community support, organising social outings for older people to combat isolation and loneliness. “I’ve made great friends during my time with the Irish Red Cross, friendships that have spanned a lifetime. And that is something I’d like to thank the Irish Red Cross for – wonderful relationships made volunteering together.”
Sally McLaughlin was a dedicated volunteer with the Fahan Branch in Donegal for 55 years, holding many voluntary leadership roles and driving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training within the organisation. “I grew up with the Irish Red Cross, starting as a volunteer when I was still in primary school. The Red Cross has always been part of my life and I made a lot of friendships over the years. I dedicated a lot of my time to volunteering – I was heavily involved in CPR training for community groups and teaching people how to be instructors. There are not many leadership roles that I haven’t held within the organisation! but it was always fun and always enjoyable.”
Deirdre Garvey, Secretary General, Irish Red Cross said, “These volunteers have been a bastion of support to their local community over many decades. They represent the very best of us and are an inspiration to me and so many others. I deeply admire and respect their generosity of spirit, their positive action and their leadership in demonstrating what it means to serve and to be there for those most in need. These are the people who are there for the big challenges but also the less evident planning meetings, preparatory work and ongoing trainings. They give their time and skills not for recognition but for the good of their community, the good of humanity and for that we are so very grateful.”
As Ireland’s humanitarian response network, 4000 volunteers at 71 Irish Red Cross branches across Ireland help communities prepare for emergencies, respond when they happen and recover stronger and more resilient. The Irish Red Cross stands with people in crisis, at home and abroad, offering practical help, comfort and hope.
For more information visit: www.redcross.ie