Meath Chronicle Community & Sports Awards: Carer of the Year
The Meath Chronicle Community and Sports Awards in partnership with Specsavers and Bective Stud take place this Thursday (21st May) and in this week's paper we celebrate the achievements of all our wonderful nominees.
Evolving from the Meath Sports Awards that started more than 20 years ago and which has seen some of the biggest names in Irish sport recognised and honoured in their home county, the event now combines a dedicated Community section aimed at recognising so many of our unsung heroes.
Among the accolades given out at the Darnley Lodge Hotel, Athboy ceremony on Thursday, will be awards for Community volunteers, groups, carers, schools and green projects while in our Sports section, outstanding achievement, young sports star, team of the year and of course, overall sportsperson will all be honoured as will our Hall of Fame recipient.
Read all about our local heroes in our special 28-page pullout.
Here are the nominees for the Carer of the Year Award:
An example of the quiet heroism shown every day by carers everywhere
William Brady
At 77 years of age, William is the devoted and sole carer for his beloved wife, Angela Brady, to whom he has been married for almost 40 years. Angela, now 81, lives with advanced Parkinson’s disease and depends on William for even the most basic daily activity. For the past two years, William who lives in Cortown, Kells has dedicated himself completely to her care - day and night, without complaint and with extraordinary compassion.
He cooks, cleans, manages medications with great care, ensures Angela is comfortable, well-fed, and supported every hour of every day. His devotion according to daughter-in-law Nelly Zorzi reflects not only commitment, but a deep and enduring love built over decades together.
Despite the demands of caregiving, William allows himself one small personal indulgence — a Sunday morning game of golf with friends — when he entrusts Angela’s care to someone else.
William’s kindness, strength, patience, and unwavering dedication make him an excellent carer. His story is a powerful reminder of the quiet heroism shown every day by carers everywhere.
Mother's battle to support her three children living with autism
Sandra Kelly
Sandra Kelly is a family carer for her three autistic children, 12-year-old identical twins Eva and Elena who attend Delvin National School and son Owen who is in Junior Cert year at Athboy Community College. A typical day starts at 6am when she prepares lunches before waking the children to give them some time to “thaw out” and mentally prepare themselves for the day ahead. The children each have sensory issues so dressing them can be a struggle, but Sandra knows what they like and don’t like, so she is always there to support them if a problem sets in.
Sandra, who lives with husband Pat and children in Coolronan, explains that poor concentration is a big problem for Owen in the school environment and he can be hard to manage at home. He was receiving invaluable respite each Saturday, but when personnel changes became frequent, he refused to engage and there has been no help for the family since. “Supports are appalling for families of children with special needs,” Sandra says with everything being a constant battle.
Dedicated community volunteer and carer for more than two decades
Karen Smyth
As a dedicated community volunteer and qualified carer from Drogheda, Karen Smyth has spent many years supporting others through both voluntary work and caring responsibilities. Since 2012, she has volunteered with the East Meath and Louth Defibrillator Unit, helping deliver CPR and defibrillator training to more than 23,000 people across schools, community groups, GAA clubs, and An Garda Síochána.
Alongside her volunteer work, caring has been at the centre of her life for more than two decades. A mother of four and grandmother of three, she has been a full-time family carer since 2001, supporting three children with special needs as well as her parents, including her mother recovering from heart surgery and her father who is living with blindness and diabetes. She is also a qualified personal assistant for people with disabilities including those with Down syndrome.
Despite living with health conditions herself including Crohn’s disease, colitis, and fibromyalgia, her caring role at home doesn’t stop and he continues to help in the community. “I would highly recommend volunteering to anyone considering it. It’s not just about the skills you learn, but the sense of purpose and connection it brings.”