Supervalu continues support of local Garda Youth Awards

THE Garda Síochána in West Cork have launched the 20th annual West Cork Garda Youth Awards, in association with SuperValu. 

These Awards were initiated in West Cork in 1995 by Garda James O Mahony, Juvenile Liaison Officer in Bandon. SuperValu sponsored the initial awards, and they have been committed to the awards ever since.

The Awards celebrate outstanding young people between the ages of 13 and 21 years. 

An Garda Síochána in West Cork and SuperValu recognise that a lot of good work is being done by young people in every community in the region.

 Awards will be considered for nominated young people who by their presence make their communities a better place to live in. 

Last year there were a record number of nominations, with 147 young people being nominated in total. 

Garda Damian White, Community Garda in Bandon, PRO for the Youth Awards, says the nomination process is open to everyone. 

‘If you know of a young person who is committed to making a difference to their community, please put them forward, as every nominee will receive a certificate, even if they do not win an award. 

‘This way, all nominees are recognised for their efforts, and the certificate is a very valuable item to have on a young person’s CV into the future,’ he told The Southern Star.

This year the West Cork Garda Youth Awards in association with SuperValu will take place on Friday November 27th in the Maritime Hotel in Bantry.  

There are 11 Awards; 5 Overall Awards, 4 District Awards, 1 Group Award and also 1 Special Achievement Award.

The Group Award category applies for groups of two or more young people whose combined efforts have contributed positively to their communities. 

The Special Achievement category is open to any young person who has defied the odds, or overcome difficult circumstances, and whose commitment deserves recognition.

The nomination forms are now available from any SuperValu in the West Cork Garda Division, and also at Garda Stations throughout West Cork. 

Application forms will also be distributed by the Community Gardai in each local Garda District.

In launching this year’s Awards, Inspector Pat Meaney, Bandon Garda Station, chairman of the Organising Committee, remarked: ‘We wish to recognise the sacrifices made by these young people, as they contribute to their community, both at a local level, and also in wider areas. An Garda Síochána would like to pay tribute to SuperValu for their continued sponsorship of the Youth Awards.’

The closing date for the applications is Friday 30th October 2015.

Application forms are to be submitted to Garda James O Mahony, Juvenile Liaison Officer, Bandon Garda Station, or Garda Don Davis, Juvenile Liaison Officer, Bantry Garda Station.

The West Cork SuperValu stores which have sponsored these Youth Awards for the past 19 years are Caulfield’s SuperValu Bandon, Smith’s SuperValu Kinsale, Healy’s SuperValu Dunmanway, O’Leary’s SuperValu Macroom, Boherbue Coop, Field’s SuperValu Skibbereen, Murphy’s SuperValu Castletownbere, O’Keeffe’s SuperValu Bantry, Scally’s SuperValu Clonakilty and O’Keeffe’s SuperValu Millstreet. 

SuperValu retailers in County Cork invest over €70m in the local economy each year, and SuperValu retailers in Cork spend over €21m annually, supporting 800 Cork suppliers. 

SuperValu is dedicated to supporting local jobs and the 30 SuperValu retailers in Cork employ over 2,600 local people.