Bandons Bernie receives Red Cross carer award

A BANDON woman has been named the Cork Carer of the Year by Irish Red Cross.

Bernie O’Reilly, nominated by the Bandon branch, has just been awarded the 2015 Eileen Hayes Perpetual Memorial Trophy. 

Bernie has been a full time carer for her 28-year-old son Brendan for many years. 

Brendan is wheelchair-bound, unable to do anything for himself. He communicates through a computer screen, activated by eye movement. 

Bernie attends to his every need seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

 Her positive attitude, energy and her attention to Brendan’s every need brings him great happiness and he has a constant smile on his face, the judges said.

Bernie regards her caring of Brendan as a labour of love.

The Leslie Bean de Barra Red Cross Carer of the Year award acknowledges the hard work and dedication of informal carers in the home and the community. 

‘They provide an essential service to the vulnerable and display true humanitarian values,’ said Pat O’Connor,
Cork Area chairman, Irish Red Cross. 

The trophy is given in remembrance of Leslie Bean de Barra, who was chairperson of the Irish Red Cross from 1950 – 1973. 

She received several prestigious awards for her outstanding work nationally and internationally. ‘She tirelessly encouraged people to be good neighbours and to look out for the vulnerable of all ages in society,’ said the local Red Cross chairman.