FINGAL PERSON OF THE YEAR!!
At this time I had no clue that those I had proudly worked with in An Garda Siochana had come together to nominate me for the award of Fingal Community Person of the year.
It was even more shocking when I won the section I had been nominated under! I'd be lying if I didnt say I had a tear in my eye and a feeling of shear pride that evening, and ever since. I had proudly been given two seperate awards from the Garda Representative Association previously for "working above and beyond the call of duty", one of which has only once ever been given to a member of the poblic I believe. The words humbling and pride really don't do justice to these awards.
This was the presentation speech by Mary Kennedy of RTE
“In 2002 our next nominee established a voluntary therapeutic support service helping members of our emergency services who suffered issues with mental health and trauma. He supports individuals, primarily members of the Gardaí 24 hours a day 365 days per year, alone. He established small groups of individuals in need of support in order that they can support each other.
To expand on this voluntary service, he developed an online forum for all emergency service personnel in which he has a secured welfare section. This allows him to support more members in need, those who may have been suicidal to find a way through their crisis.
He has voluntarily advised the Garda Representative Association on best welfare practice and researched the area in order to best advocate on behalf of those in need of support.
He would never admit that there are many successful people helping others who are alive due to his support in their recovery from poor mental health and he has done this alone and voluntarily, believing that if you are not well in yourself you cannot be well for
others.
Ladies and Gentlemen please welcome Mark Reddy.”
Mary Kennedy RTE
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