Annie wins Specsavers Grandparent of the Year Award
LOVING grandmother Annie Regan, age 91, from Cloonfane, Charlestown, has been crowned Connaught winner of the Specsavers Irish Grandparent of the Year 2018.
Annie was one of four regional finalists in the competition. The team at Specsavers Castlebar recently presented Annie with her prize of a bottle of champagne, a Specsavers eyewear voucher and a framed certificate.
Said Annie: "I am delighted and overwhelmed to have been selected as the Connaught winner of the Specsavers Grandparent of the Year Award. It is such an honour and so touching to know that my grandchild is proud of my story and that she cherishes our relationship."
As well as being a loving grandmother to Marie Nolan (34) and 16 others, Annie is a great-grandmother to 17, including Marie’s baby Tommy, who was born on Annie’s 90th birthday last November.
Her kind nature is infectious and since her husband passed in 2004, Annie has embraced her independence, living on her own. She loves gardening and she is very up to speed with the modern world.
Granddaughter Marie says ‘nothing shocks her!’ She invests all her time into her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, ranging from two months to 40 years old.
Audiologist at Specsavers Castlebar, Elizabeth Ryan, said: “We are thrilled to present Annie with her prize and were touched by the wonderful story written by her granddaughter. The Specsavers Grandparent of the Year Award recognises the many benefits of an ageing population and the special role that grandparents play in Irish families and the community. It is heart-warming to see such a strong bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.”
Specsavers Audiologists earlier this year announced a year-long partnership with Beaumont Hospital’s Cochlear Department who are proud co-sponsors of Specsavers Grandparent of the Year 2018.
Peter Walshe, consultant ENT surgeon at Beaumont Hospital, said: “Grandparents play such a pivotal role in the lives of young people and in the community. We were delighted to work with Specsavers on this family and community-focused campaign.”
For more information on Grandparent of the Year, visit your local Specsavers store or log onto www.specsavers.ie/hearing/grandparent.