Mayo has one representative in the Calor Community Champion 2012 awards. The shortlist of nominees was announced this week with voting now open to the public through the Calor Facebook page.
Johnny Oosten, a DJ with Community Radio Castlebar, has raised significant funding for both autism and cystic fibrosis services across the county. He developed the idea for the Croagh Patrick seven day challenge in support of autism, and during the five years since the challenge was developed he has raised well over €500,000 in much needed funding. In 2012, he started the Challenge the Greenway in aid of cystic fibrosis to support the building of a specialist day care unit in Mayo General Hospital.
According to Calor the calibre of nominations highlights the exceptional and largely unrecognised contributions people are making to their local communities.
The winner of the Calor Community Champion 2012 will receive €1,500 and a bursary of €7,500 to give to his/her nominated charity or local organisation. Calor is even throwing in €500 for the person or organisation that nominated the winner.
To support your local hero and play your part in helping them to be recognised as the first Calor Community Champion could not be easier, visit Calor’s gallery of nominees at www.facebook.com/calorireland The public have until August 20 to vote for their favourite and the top four local champions and two wildcards will make it through to the final phase.
The winner will be chosen by a judging panel led by TV and radio personality Hector Ó hEochagáin, and including legendary GAA and sports broadcaster Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh and Jennifer Fagan from Calor. The Calor Community Champion 2012 will be announced on September 4.
