The 20th Waterford PPN Community & Voluntary Gala Awards were held on November 21st at The Park Hotel in Dungarvan. This event, organised by Waterford PPN in collaboration with Waterford City & County Council, Waterford Volunteer Centre, Expressway, Waterford Community Safety Partnership, South-East Energy Agency, BHP Insurance, Cairde Credit Union, Waterford Credit Union, and Local Link Waterford.
Among the 200 guests were Cllr. Pat Nugent, Cathaoirleach of Dungarvan/Lismore District, Minister Mary Butler, Senator John Cummins, council officials, sponsors, judges, Waterford PPN Secretariat members, and representatives from the nominees and shortlisted. Waterford PPN is a network of over 700 community, voluntary, social inclusion, and environmental groups across Waterford City and County. The awards highlight the incredible dedication by these groups and volunteers, and it is the only platform that celebrates the amazing work within the community.
Awards were presented across seven group categories, with additional awards going to three individual volunteers and an overall award. The group recipients were Cappoquin Rowing Club, Inner City Residents Association, Top of the City Gardens, Francis Court Age Action, Access I.T., Surprise Surprise Dungarvan & West Waterford, and Tournore Court Residents Association.
The individual awards went to Richie Purcell (Age Friendly Volunteer of the Year), Billy Harty (Board/Committee Member of the Year), and Eilish Norris (Junior Volunteer of the Year).
Tournore Court Residents Association were selected from all the category winners to represent Waterford at the Pride of Place National Awards next year.
Cathaoirleach of Dungarvan / Lismore District, Cllr. Pat Nugent, congratulated the finalists saying:
“The breath of community work in Waterford is astounding and each and every one of these groups and individuals contribute so much to our communities. “From residents associations to youth coaching, and age action initiatives to committee volunteers, these community and voluntary networks have a profound, positive effect on the communities they operate within.”
It was a fantastic evening of celebration for the selfless contributions of Waterford’s community and voluntary sector.
See www.waterfordppn for all videos and photos of attendees on the night.
Group Category Awards Shortlist
Children & Youth – Sponsored by Expressway
31st Waterford Scout Group – Faithlegg & Crooke Scouts
Cappoquin Rowing Club – Winners of Category
St. Paul’s Boxing Club
Community Safety – Sponsored by Community Safety Partnership
Dungarvan First Responders SCIS
Inner City Residents Association – Winners of Category
Irish Red Cross Waterford City
Environment & Conservation – Sponsored by South East Energy Agency
Nire Parish Council
Sli – Sustainable Living Initiative
Top of the City Garden – Winners of Category
Health & Wellbeing – Sponsored by BHP Insurances
Francis Court Age Action – Winners of Category
Soroptimist Dungarvan and District Branch
St Declan’s Way
Social Enterprise – Sponsored by Cairde Credit Union & Waterford Credit Union
Access IT – Winners of Category
Blackwater Eco Tours
Waterford Disability Network
Social Inclusion & Community Support – Sponsored by Local Link Waterford
Carbally Community Development Project
Surprise Surprise Dungarvan & West Waterford – Winners of Category
Tallow Mens Shed
SPIK & SPAN – Best Kept Residential Area – Sponsored by Waterford City & County Council
Belvedere Manor Residents Association
Tournore Court Residents Association – Winners of Category
Woodlawn Grove Resident’s Association
Individual Awards Shortlist – Sponsored by Waterford Volunteer Centre
Age Friendly Volunteer of the Year
Alma Shanahan Power – Surprise Surprise Dungarvan & West Waterford
Johnny Crotty – Founder of Portlaw Tidy Towns and many other groups
Richie Purcell – Irish Red Cross Waterford City Branch – Winner of Individual Award
Board/Committee Volunteer of the Year
Alma Shanahan Power – Surprise Surprise Dungarvan & West Waterford
Billy Harty – Ardmore Tidy Towns – Winner of Individual Award
Faith Tutty – Autism Support Dungarvan
Junior Volunteer of the Year
Eilish Norris – Clonea Camogie Club – Winner of Individual Award
Alex Wade – Waterford Treasures Volunteers
Niamh Kilcawley – Surprise Surprise Dungarvan & West Waterford