Andy Neary, Foróige, and Leah Naughton, Aldi Ireland, present Brianna Moran and Teresa Flannery, Islandeady Senior Foróige Club, with a Certificate of Achievement at the Aldi Foróige Youth Citizenship Awards.

Gold, silver and bronze for Mayo at the Aldi Foróige Youth Citizenship Awards

ISLANDEADY Senior Foróige Club won a gold star award for a project which raised awareness of the importance of positive mental health as 22 groups of young people from Mayo exhibited their community action projects at the Aldi Foróige Youth Citizenship Awards last weekend in Citywest Hotel, Dublin.

The Islandeady club researched the 'green ribbon' campaign and learned all about promoting a postive approach to mental health and removing the stigma associated with it.

They decided to plant a tree to remind people of the community to consider their mental health. They approached a garden centre to donate a tree and discussed the location of the tree with the parish priest. They learned that a cherry blossom already stood at the main church and after speaking with the pastoral council, the group decided to plant a second cherry blossom at a second church, hoping the trees could link the two churches in the area.

The group then invited the playschool to lay stones at the foot of the tree and held a launch day of the tree with a plaque reading 'It's Ok not to be okay'.

Meanwhile, Ardagh Foróige Club won a silver star award for their project to bring festive cheer to a local hospital on Christmas Day. Members organised a Christmas morning visit to the local hospital and brought presents to the patients.

To do this, they held a raffle in the local mart which raised over €1,100. With the funds they bought Christmas presents, crackers and chocolates, and had money left over to buy extra items for the hospital which helped save on their yearly budget.

On Christmas morning the members and leaders dressed up in Christmas gear, and one of the volunteers dressed up as Santa. Thirty-two members and leaders enjoyed Christmas festivities with the patients and staff on Christmas Day. Club members interacted with patients - pulling crackers, reading jokes, placing hats on their heads and singing and dancing to Christmas music. So successful was it that they have decided it will become an annual event.

Barnacarroll TY Foróige Club won a bronze star award for their fundraising appeal for the Simon Community. Club members wanted to assist the vulnerable in their community in a real and tangible way, so they decided to fundraise for the Simon Community. For one week all entry fees for the club was donated to the cause.

Members of the club were asked to bring shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste to give towards a toiletries appeal. The group approached a local factory, which donated 150 toothbrushes to their appeal, and also held a Rice Krispie bun bake sale in the lead-up to Christmas.

More than 2,000 young people, representing every county in Ireland, showcased their community action projects at the awards, focused on improving the entrants’ local communities in areas such as equality, homelessness, inclusion, community events, mental health, culture and much more.

Commenting, the CEO of Foróige, Seán Campbell, said: “The standard of entry this year was exceptional and we are so proud of all those who took part and everything these young people have achieved in their communities.”

This year was the fourth year Aldi has partnered with Foróige to support the awards, having recently agreed a new three-year €900,000 partnership extension with the youth organisation.