Vodafone and Castlebar Chamber of Commerce Celebrate
 Passion for the World Around Us
 
Local Person Honoured with Prestigious Award
 
Vodafone and the Castlebar Chamber of Commerce have announced the winner of the inaugural Vodafone Passion for the World Around Us Awards at a high profile ceremony in Castlebar Chamber of Commerce. Jackie Loftus from Castlebar, Co. Mayo, was selected from a shortlist of highly commendable nominations received from throughout the county, for his outstanding work with the Castlebar Credit Union.
 
For the past forty years, Jackie Loftus has worked tirelessly for the people of Mayo and Castlebar. A founder member of the Castlebar Credit Union, Jackie was also instrumental in the establishment of the GMIT and Castlebar Credit Union Brendan Hopkins Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship partnership with GMIT Castlebar assists students in need of financial aid.  Furthermore, Jackie is also responsible for raising finance for Community Radio Castlebar.
 
Congratulating the recipient, Michelle Hallinan, Vodafone Account Manager, Mayo region said, "The selfless commitment to the community shown by Jackie Loftus is an example to us all. At Vodafone, we actively encourage and support the volunteering efforts of our staff and we commend those in the community who share this passion. Along with our partners in the Castlebar Chamber of Commerce, we are delighted to present this award to Jackie."
 
Speaking at the presentation, Oliver Kelleher, President, Castlebar Chamber of Commerce said, "We are honoured to be involved with the Vodafone Passion for the World Around Us Awards, an exciting new initiative that affords the Chamber a unique opportunity to applaud local people for the great work they do to improve the community in which we live."

The quarterly regional Vodafone Passion for the World Around us Awards were instigated to honour individuals who make a positive difference to their local community in any one of a number of ways including those who have made an effort to improve their local environment, for example by setting up a recycling project or litter collection programme; those who have introduced or supported an educational or safety initiative in their local area; those who have set up groups or participate in organisations that benefit members of the community or those who volunteer their time to help others in the community.
 
Each regional winner will be presented with a specially commissioned silver sculpture, exclusively designed by renowned Irish artist, Seamus Gill and a Vodafone Passion for the World Around Us Awards certificate.
 
Anyone wishing to get involved can pick up a nomination form from the Chamber offices in Spencer St or the  Vodafone store , Main St or by logging on to www.vodafone.ie  The closing date for receipt of nominations for the next award is Monday 1st December 2003.