Gaisce Participants Recognised by Pramerica Spirit of the Community Awards

“Going for the Gold Gaisce Award is huge for me” – Gaisce Participant Lorcan Tuohy Donnelly, Borrisokane Community College

Nine Gaisce participants and awardees have been shortlisted for the Pramerica Spirit of the Community Awards which take place this Thursday 28^th March at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin. The Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards, which is run in partnership with the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) and the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI), rewards post-primary students for outstanding acts of volunteerism and the positive contribution they make in their local communities. 

One such Gaisce participant shortlisted by Pramerica Spirt of the Community Awards is Lorcan Tuohy-Donnelly, from Moneygal Co. Offaly. Lorcan is a student at Borrisokane Community College where his PAL Deirdre Kyne is supporting him through his Gaisce Gold Award. Lorcan has been selected as a finalist by Pramerica for the fantastic volunteering activities he is involved in with Cycle Against Suicide and Webwise. As a Student Leader with Cycle Against Suicide, Lorcan learned that two in every three Irish school students knew someone who had self-harmed because of online bullying. Lorcan experienced online bullying himself, so he decided to take action to combat it. He got involved with Webwise to focus on internet safety by sharing ideas with schools, creating resources, taking part in panel discussions and debates, and becoming a safer internet trainer.

Lorcan, whose mother Sineád is a Gaisce Gold Award Holder, received his Gaisce Silver Award at a special ceremony at the Helix in DCU, Dublin last October. Speaking at the Awards, Lorcan said, “Achieving my Silver was big. I didn’t really think once I had done Silver that I would really go for Gold, but upon recap, even though I’m only into my first few weeks of it, I’m loving it! I’m sitting my Leaving Cert next June, but I’ll still continue with my Gaisce and finish it out. Going for the Gold Gaisce Award is huge for me, especially since my mother went for it as well, I’m kind of inspired by her.”

This year’s Pramerica Spirt of the Community Awards Ceremony will see former professional footballer, psychotherapist and mental fitness teacher Richie Sadlier speak to honourees about his experience of working in the mental health sector. He will also speak about his range of insights and experience from his voluntary work.

Gaisce would like to wish all finalists, especially Gaisce participants and awardees, best of luck in the upcoming Pramerica Spirt of the Community Awards. You can learn more about finalists here.