Meath volunteer honoured by Concern
Trim man Patrick Bolger was one of 32 people honoured at an award ceremony hosted by the humanitarian organisation Concern Worldwide.
Mr Bolger was given an Outstanding Commitment Award at the event in Dublin in early July after raising €55,000 during annual Concern Fast fundraisers since 1989.
The married father-of-two, who has two grandchildren and who is originally from Finglas in Dublin, thanked his family, friends, colleagues and neighbours for all their support for his Concern collections over the years.
“I was delighted to get the award and did not expect it,” said Mr Bolger, who is a service engineer, working mainly on coffee machines with Siemens, Bosch and Neff.
“I just go out every year and collect whatever I can.”
Concern’s Volunteer Awards began in 2013 to celebrate the vital contribution made by the organisation’s volunteers in Ireland.
Many raise funds that enable Concern to continue to alleviate poverty and hunger, which last year alone saw 36 million people reached in 25 countries.
Its volunteers also include people who adjudicate at Concern’s national primary and secondary school debating competitions when students debate topical global issues.
“Volunteers are behind every fundraising walk, bucket collection and cake sale. For those and the many other efforts made to help us reach the poorest people of the world, we thank you,” said Concern’s Chief Executive, David Regan.
Mr Regan and Concern’s chairperson, Donal D’Arcy, presented each awardee with a medal at a ceremony.
“We are truly grateful to all our volunteers and donors for their support,” added Mr Regan, who was a Concern volunteer himself in the 1980s and who worked overseas as an aid worker years before re-joining the organisation last year as its CEO.
“We are also extremely thankful to those volunteers who adjudicate our school debating competitions, which are wonderful contests that get students thinking and talking about the challenges facing the whole world.”
Concern was formed in 1968 in response to the Biafran famine in Nigeria.
More information about Concern’s work or how to support the humanitarian organisation can be found on its website concern.net.