|
From www.castlebar.ie Chamber Corner
Martin Waters, a member of the Castlebar Community Development and one of the longest serving members of the local branch of the St. Vincent de Paul has become the first recipient of this year’s Vodafone Passion for the World Around Us Award in Co. Mayo. Through his work with St. Vincent de Paul, Martin has played a key role in a variety of projects including the establishment of the Mayo Women’s Refuge, the provision of housing in Garryduff, Cois Abrainn and Castle Street and the establishment of the Castlebar Youth Project. The Passion for the World Around Us Awards are run by Vodafone in partnership with Castlebar Chamber and 17 other Chambers nationwide. The awards recognise and reward people and businesses who make an effort to improve their local communities and who have been successful in making a positive contribution to the world around them. Martin received a certificate and a specially commissioned, handmade award designed by Irish artist Michele Hannan at a ceremony on Friday 23 June 2006. Originally from Galway, Martin moved to Castlebar in 1980 and has made a huge contribution to life in the area since then. On top of the work already mentioned he is also the Chairman of Community Radio Castlebar, a founding member of the Money Advice and Budgeting Service, a member of the Special Olympics Committee and is a regular contributor to Raidio na Gaeltachta on behalf of the area. According to Tony Warnock, Local Vodafone Account Manager for Castlebar, Martin’s award is greatly deserved. "I’d like to pay tribute to Martin for all he has contributed over the years to making Castlebar a better place to live. So many people have benefited from the hard work and dedication he has given the various projects and causes he has been associated with. While Vodafone is a global company we are committed to the local community. We have always worked with our friends and neighbours for the good of Castlebar and we believe that the Passion for the World Around Us Awards offer an ideal opportunity to recognise the work of those people who have made a real difference to the lives of people living and working in Castlebar." His remarks were echoed by John Shaughnessy, CEO of Castlebar Chamber who said, "Martin is an extremely worthy winner and we are honoured to be able to make him the first recipient of the Passion for the World Around Us Awards in 2006. Martin has certainly shown passion and commitment for people living in the community around him and it is only right that he should receive the recognition he deserves. I’d also like to thank Vodafone for making this award possible and for their help and assistance in organising the awards," he concluded. At the ceremony Castlebar Chamber also announced a call for nominations for the next round of The Passion for the World Around Us Awards. This round will focus on businesses in Castlebar and the surrounding areas that have made a valuable contribution to the community. Nomination forms are downloadable as a pdf file from Castlebar Chamber, or available from local Vodafone stores or via www.vodafone.ie. Once completed, the forms should be returned to the Chamber. Entries can also be sent via email, to passionawards.ie@vodafone.com, simply send the name of the business, group or person being nominated and details of why they deserve the award. The deadlines for entries is 30th June 2006 and 30th September and the award will be announced a short time later. © Copyright 2003 by www.castlebar.ie and the author |
