Twenty eight Irish Red Cross volunteers from across the country have been recognised for more than 50 years of service to their communities at a special event in the Mansion House in Dublin.
Volunteers from Clare, Cork, Donegal, Limerick, Louth and Dublin were presented with Long Service Medals in recognition of their dedication over five decades. The awards were presented by Irish Red Cross Chair Charlie Flanagan.
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 that 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.”
Among those honoured was Drogheda volunteer Patrick McGahey, who was recognised for 50 years of service through the Drogheda branch of the Irish Red Cross.
Alongside his late wife Ann, who was also a volunteer, Patrick taught first aid and CPR to local community groups and took part in first aid and casualty simulation competitions across Europe in the 1990s.
He was also involved in a number of major events over the years, 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.
Also representing Louth at the event were Irish Red Cross volunteers, Gabriel O’Loughlin and Barry Kane from the Carlingford Omeath branch, Patrick Woods and Ann Marie Beirth from the Drogheda branch.
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 training. 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.”
