Caring Kirsty
Our Lady's Grammar School student Kirsty McKenna has been recognized for her efforts to raise funds for charity. The 18-year-old upper sixth student has reached the inaugural finals of the Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards, which honours young people throughout Ireland for exceptional fundraising and charity work. Kirsty was nominated for the award by Our Lady's principal Geraldine Pettigrew after raising £11,000 for Newry Hospice and Action Cancer over the past three years. The young woman's charitable efforts began on the 10th anniversary of her own mother's death from cancer.
"I heard that Newry Hospice might be closed because of the lack of funding." she explained. "I decided that the hospice was too important to lose so I started organising events to help raise money in memory of my mother. It's something she would have really supported." Charity events that Kirsty has organised include a sponsored walk and a charity disco. Speaking of her nomination and selection for the final Kirsty said she is really "Shocked". "I never imagined I'd be chosen," she said. "I'm sure there are more deserving fundraisers out there. You don't do it for the rewards but I'm really excited."
Mrs Pettigrew was delighted at Kirsty's shortlisting. "Young people as caring and committed as Kirsty are critical to the future of our society." she said. "It is very refreshing to see that in the materialistic world we live in. when students Kirsty's age are so focused on exams and university, that we have so many students in Our Lady's who are involved in community and charity work. Kirsty really deserves this recognition and hopefully her selflessness will inspire more young people to follow her example." As a finalist Kirsty will receive £500, an engraved silver medallion and will attend the gala awards dinner in Dublin at the end of March when two finalists will be named All-Ireland Youth Volunteers of the year.
Reprinted from the Newry Democrat 13th March 2007
