Nominations for this year's Meath Garda Youth Awards are now being accepted
Hannah McNamara
Nominations for this year's Meath Garda Youth Awards are now being accepted for young people who positively contribute to their community.
In association with Centra, Meath Garda Division's Youth Awards Scheme will celebrate outstanding young people living in Meath between the ages of 13 and 21 years.
Individuals can now be nominated for this scheme, however groups of two or more young people whose combined efforts have contributed positively to their communities will also be considered.
The award categories include a 'Special Achievement' award for a young person who has overcome a difficult circumstance and whose bravery sets them apart.
The 'Community Safety' award recognizes youths who through a crime prevention or safety initiative have made their community a safer place to live.
The 'Adult/Mentor' or 'Outstanding Contribution to Young People' award recognizes that many young people get invaluable help along the way from an adult, be it in their capacity as mentors, coaches, group leaders, etc. This vital and often unheralded work helps to develop a sense of self-worth in young people.
Each person nominated will receive a Certificate of Nomination to recognise their positive impact on their community. The overall winners will be contacted by their local Gardaí and will be invited to receive their awards at a Gala event later in the year.
Meath Crime Prevention gave a "special thanks" to the Centra stores who have sponsored the 2023 Meath Garda Youth Awards: "Centra has been a proud sponsor of the Meath Garda Youth Awards throughout the years."
The participating Centra stores are as follows: Bird's Centra, Athboy; Bird’s Centra, Ballivor; Brogan’s Centra, Carlanstown; Carr’s Centra, Kells; Costello’s Centra, Kilmessan; Dunne’s Centra, Stamullen; Hannon’s Centra, Commons Road; Hallinan’s Centra Garden City Ashbourne; McGurk’s Centra, Blackcastle; Smyth's Centra, Slane; Sweeney’s Centra, Ratoath.
To apply nomination forms are available in the participating Centra stores or on centra.ie/about/garda-youth-awards
Forms will also be available at Garda Stations throughout the county.
Nominations are to be returned by post or personal delivery to Garda Edel Dugdale of Trim Garda Station, Garda Barbara Kelly of Ashbourne Garda Station, Garda Frank Scully of Navan Garda Station or Sergeant Elaine Long of Kells Garda Station. The closing date is the 7th December.
Previous awards winners not eligible.
There is a National Garda Youth Awards Scheme in place and one winner in each category will go forward to represent Meath. The judging panel will decide upon nominees to go forward to represent the division at the National Garda Youth Awards.