The Galway City Credit Union’s Volunteer of the Year award went to Phyllis McNamara at the eighth annual Mayor’s Awards for Galway City which was held at the Black Box Theatre on Tuesday evening.
The top award was presented to Ms McNamara by Mayor of Galway City, Hildegarde Naughton, in recognition of her efforts to raise awareness in relation to suicide and also her fundraising activities with Console in the last number of years.
Commenting at the awards ceremony, Cllr Naughton said: “Her courage following the death of her husband Michael and her desire to live her life positively is an inspiration to all of us”.
Other recipients of Mayor’s Awards include The Highfield Park Residents Association for their work in making their estate the best that it can be and Katherine Long for her promotion of the Best Buddies College Programme in GMIT.
More than 100 individuals and groups received certificates from the mayor in celebration of voluntary activity in community life in the city. The winners of the individual awards, which are organised by Galway City Council and sponsored by the Galway City Credict Unions, were announced at the ceremony in front of an audience of almost 400 people and was broadcast live on local radio. The awards
The recipients in each of the categories were: St Anthony’s & Claddagh Credit Union Arts, Culture, Heritage & Cursaí Gaeilge Award – Tess Emerson, in recognition of her extraordinary commitment to the Patrician Musical Society, spanning more than sixty years; St Columba’s Creditit Union Residents’ & Local Areas Award – The Highfield Park Residents Association for their commitment to making their environment the best that it can possibly be and their enthusiasm to engage with all members of the community; Naomh Pádraig Credit Union Social & Community Support Award – The Galway Rape Crisis Centre SATU volunteers for their dedication to volunteering and for the caring and sensitive way they go about helping people who are the subject of sexual violence; Business Volunteer of the Year – John Daly for his commitment and dedication in sharing his business skills with individuals and organisations; Sports Volunteer of the Year Award – Corrib Rangers FC in recognition of their unswerving commitment to bringing soccer to everyone in their community; Children and Youth Award – Néad na nÓg, Slí Burca for their vision and dedication to developing childcare facilities in their area to the highest standards; and Young Volunteer of the Year – Katherine Long for her commitment to ensuring that young people with intellectual disabilities have wider opportunities.
