Congratulation to our 5th year students, Helena Bohane, William Doyle, Chloe McCarthy, Dylan Maloney, Elaine O'Sullivan and Jamie Byrne who won a Garda Youth Award last Friday evening at the awards ceremony in Kinsale. This group of students from Skibbereen Community School made a significant contribution to their community by volunteering their time and energy not only to assist pilgrims with ill health and disabilities during the six-day Cork & Ross Diocese Pilgrimage to Lourdes but also in the months leading up to the pilgrimage.
They organised fundraisers in the local parish and school community making links with parishioners and the wider community. They provided care, companionship, and assistance to vulnerable individuals while in Lourdes, ensuring they had a fulfilling experience.
Their participation in the pilgrimage helped those in need and will hopefully inspire others within their school and local parish to engage in similar acts of service.
The students willingly undertook all preparations on the lead up to the pilgrimage including organising two fundraisers, manual handling course and liaising with other accompanying schools. Once in Lourdes their days included early breakfast morning duties from 7am and assisting pilgrims throughout their daily tasks.
This consisted of prepping over 70 patients which was demanding both physically and personally. Whether it was helping with transportation, attending to the assisted pilgrims' needs, or simply offering companionship through conversation or a singsong, they consistently put the well-being of others before themselves.
Their willingness to step outside their comfort zones, contribute wholeheartedly, and work tirelessly throughout the pilgrimage exemplifies selfless dedication and the true spirit of volunteerism.
These six students have demonstrated that young people can be a great example for future generations, showing that they are compassionate, responsible, and deeply committed to making a difference in their local community.
This demanding role challenges the negative stereotypes of youth and shows that young people are committed helping those less fortunate. They are leading by example and their actions have been widely recognised and appreciated in their local community.
They have encouraged more young people to get involved with organisations such as COPE and Co-Action, luncheon clubs etc. in their local community going forward. Their volunteer work has offered invaluable support to elderly and disabled pilgrims, ensuring they could fully participate in the Lourdes experience, making it more enjoyable and memorable for them.
