Carol is Bandon's Distinguished Citizen

IT was a fitting accolade for Carol Crean when she was announced as the recipient of this year’s Bandon’s Distinguished Citizen Award at last weekend’s Bandon Summer Fest. 

‘I was shocked when they made the announcement at the street party and I couldn’t believe it,’ Carol told The Southern Star.

‘I’m involved in a lot of things in promoting Bandon, but there are loads of other people too who are giving up their time too for the good of the town and these people too are the unsung heroes. I’m from Bandon and I just want the best for the town.’

Carol was honoured for her tireless voluntary work in promoting Bandon as she is involved in a number of committees ranging from Bandon Music Festival to Bandon Christmas Lights. She is also part of the campaign to encourage people to shop local in Bandon and she was also awarded a Certificate of Recognition by the Bandon branch of the Irish Red Cross earlier this year. 

With all this going on in her life, Carol still managed to raise €16,000 for charity as part of Hair Razors, where she shaved seven inches of her hair. She is also known as the go-to person for anyone who is looking for information on Bandon.

Carol is also on the organising committee for the annual Make your Mark on Cancer Walk, which also took place last Sunday from the Viaduct to Bandon for the fourth time, with over 560 walkers taking part. 

As a keen promoter of Bandon town, Carol is hopeful that a Bandon Chamber of Commerce can be established so that it can be properly promoted.

‘We have a fantastic town here and we just need one umbrella group to showcase and promote the town. Also, with the new plans for the development of the town, now is the perfect times to get all businesses and groups under one umbrella organisation,’ added Carol.

Mark Keohane of Bandon Summer Fest said the award for Carol is a culmination of all the fantastic community work she has done in Bandon.

Carol will continue to work hard for the town and a special ceremony takes place in the Munster Arms Hotel this Thursday, July 21st,at 8pm to mark her Distinguished Citizen Award for 2016 and the event is sponsored by Caulfield’s SuperValu.