Red Cross pays tribute with an award to the late Chloe Burke

THE late Chloe Burke from Clonakilty, who passed away suddenly in April of this year at the young age of 26 years, has received a Cork Volunteer of the Year award from the Irish Red Cross.  Chloe was an active member and leader of Clonakilty Foroige Club for the past 13 years.

During her time in the club she was always involved in several projects, her latest being a youth café in the town. 

This café was set up as a ‘safe haven’ for teenagers in the area, in which they could get away from school and family, to take a few hours for themselves amongst friends in a healthy environment. 

The awards ceremony is an annual event, and the award is presented to members who give great commitment to the Red Cross.

Members are nominated by other members or their branch and the award is co-ordinated by the Cork City branch of the Red Cross.

The award is offered in memory of the late James O’Loughlin. 

This year’s award was presented posthumously to Chloe, who was nominated by her branch for her outstanding commitment to the IRC since the age of 11, when she joined as a youth member. 

At the 2015 AGM Chloe was elected as the Community Services Officer and was making great strides in her work engaging with the community, along with been an active unit member. 

‘Chloe was a very active unit member in Clonakilty and gave up her time regularly to be part of a crew on the Clonakilty ambulance,’ said John Joe Lyons.

 Chloe was a competent and professional Emergency First Responder and was aspiring to become an Emergency Medical Technician in the coming year.

‘She is very sadly missed by her Red Cross colleagues,’ said John Joe.  

Clonakilty branch chairman Padraig O’Reilly accepted the award on behalf of Chloe’s family, speaking very highly of Chloe.

 ‘She was the centre of our branch in Clonakilty – always at the fore to help in any way she possibly could. The one thing that stands out for me about Chloe is that I thought I knew most of what I could know about this bright young lady. However, I never exactly knew of the amount voluntary work Chloe actually was involved in until after her passing. This was a true reflection of just how Chloe went about her work, without looking for any praise, she was the pioneer of the meaning of volunteer.’