Derry Credit Union - Volunteering Award 2024

The Derry Credit Union Young People’s Awards took place on Monday, 25th March, in the City Hotel.

The awards scheme, now in its 19th year, recognizes the outstanding work, accomplishments, courage, and generosity of our local young people. It is open to all aged from 11 through 18 who live or attend school in the BT47 and BT48 post code areas.

This year, 90 nominations were received from 10 post-primary schools, sporting teams, family, and friends. 17 individuals and 7 groups were recognized as runners-up or winners across 8 award categories.

Congratulations to all the nominees, runners-up, and winners.

IN PICTURES: Celebrations at Derry Credit Union Young People’s Awards

Well done to the Derry Credit Union Youth Committee for their superb hosting skills. And thank you to all the nominators without whom the awards could not take place.

Volunteering Award Winner – Christian Kelly

Christian Kelly received the Volunteering Award for his work locally and internationally. Locally, he volunteers as a Youth Worker in Leafair, helping to run projects for young people on issues like health, bullying, crime, drugs, and sports. As a Head Prefect at St Columb’s College, Christian uses his position to introduce new ideas and promote volunteering.

Christian really shines on the international stage. He volunteered as a marine conservationist in Croatia, where he had to scuba dive in littered sites to extract foreign materials and objects. From this experience, he obtained a certificate of international volunteering.

Christian aspires to contribute to human space exploration and play a role in advancing humanity. He enrolled in NASA’s Internship Programme, and his goal is to become the first Irish astronaut, inspiring the next generation, especially those in Ireland and other small nations.

His love of service has granted him early admission with a full scholarship to California’s acclaimed Stanford University.

Volunteering Award Runners-Up – Daimhin Parkhill and Tiernan McElhinney

Tiernan McElhinney and Daimhin Parkhill were joint runners-up who were nominated for their work with the St Joseph’s Boys School Rights Respecting School Silver Award steering group.

This works requires that they coordinate and attend bi-monthly meetings with year groups to discuss issues faced by the year groups, and report back their findings to the steering group. At present they are taking training on children’s rights and will deliver a child friendly assembly on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Volunteering Award Runner-up - Caitlin McGranaghan

From a young age, Volunteering Award runner-up Caitlin McGranahan, has shown an interest in helping people. She began volunteering for the On the Streets Community Youth Group three years ago and is now employed by them as an assistant Youth Support worker on a part time basis.

She provides positive experiences and learning opportunities and delivers programmes to youths in areas like mental health and wellbeing coping strategies.

Caitlin is also a volunteer with Crossing Boarders EA, a programme that educates and empowers young people to become active global citizens.