Two young local volunteers have been honoured by the President of Ireland for their inspirational work following the Inishowen flooding.
Sarah McConnellogue and Charlee Boyle, both aged 12, were recently invited to attend a garden party at Áras an Uachtaráin celebrating youth empowerment.
Sarah and Charlee carried out incredible community work through the Irish Red Cross Muff Branch in recent years, particularly after the devastating flooding in August 2017.
Sarah McConnellogue and Charlee Boyle attend the President’s Garden Party for Youth Empowerment
It was on the back of this exemplary work that they were asked to represent the IRCY at the Aras on July 22nd, said Irish Red Cross Youth leader Bernie Rutherford.
Bernie said: “The girls were out during the flooding doing all they could to fundraise and help during the clear out. Our Red Cross centre was destroyed as well as houses in the community and the girls saw the destruction all around them.
“They wanted to do their bit and give back. They were instrumental in the bucket collection and got their parents involved in the Flood Appeal.”
The close friends joined the IRCY Muff Branch at the same time three years ago, got involved in the same activities and competed in first aid competitions together.
Bernie added: “Sarah and Charlee are both very inspirational young ladies, as are all our volunteers. We have 45 young people who meet every week in Muff who learn humanitarian skills and how to have a positive impact on the community.”
Sarah McConnellogue and Charlee Boyle attend the President’s Garden Party for Youth Empowerment
Sarah McConnellogue received the Irish Red Cross Young Volunteer of the Year Award in April 2018. She was recognised for her dedication to volunteering and recruiting friends to the Muff branch. As a result, 19 of her classmates are training locally.
Sarah wrote a diary entry after the Presidential visit, saying “Never in my wildest dreams had I imagined such an amazing opportunity had came into my hands!
“Mr Higgins made an amazing speech. It was really inspirational.”
After meeting President Higgins, she said: “It was an amazing experience and I would love to do it again!”
Charlee said: “We got to meet President Higgins and his wife Sabina and have our picture taken with him. They were so nice, and that was a once in a lifetime experience for me. I have to say it was so far one of the best days of my life.”
The Irish Red Cross Youth is for young people aged 4-25 years who train to become humanitarians and follow the fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross.
The IRCY motto is “Youth doing more, doing better, and reaching further in local communities and beyond.”
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