Irish Red Cross calls on people of Louth to nominate their local humanitarian heroes

This is your chance to shine a light on the extraordinary Irish Red Cross volunteers in County Louth who provide reassurance, comfort and practical support in communities across Ireland.

Visit www.redcross.ie/nva to nominate an Irish Red Cross Volunteer today.

Louth was well represented in the 2025 awards - Isabella Nordon from the Dundalk Branch was awarded Young Volunteer of the Year and Ryan Hayes also from the Dundalk branch was awarded Unit Member of the Year.

The Irish Red Cross has 3,400 members in 71 branches across Ireland who train and volunteer to ensure communities have access to relevant and timely supports to help them prepare for emergencies, respond when they happen and recover in a way that makes them more resilient.

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Now in their tenth year, the National Volunteer Awards celebrate the commitment, compassion and hard work of Irish Red Cross volunteers who generously give their time for the betterment of communities across Ireland.

"Showing up is what our volunteers do best," said Deirdre Garvey, Secretary General, Irish Red Cross.

"Whether it's a storm, a flood or another emergency that's turned someone's world upside down, our volunteers are there with practical help and a steady hand.

“But they are also there at the more everyday events, which is also so important - running a local first aid class, checking in on someone living alone, welcoming a family into a new community, or standing by with first aid skills at the local match."

Last year’s National Volunteer Awards celebrated volunteering across the length and breadth of the country.

Isabella Nordon of Dundalk Branch was named Young Volunteer of the Year, recognised for volunteering since age four.

“You don’t have to have responded to a major emergency to make an extraordinary volunteer.

“Sometimes it is years of small acts of kindness and service that have the greatest impact,” Ms. Garvey continued.

“Last year’s winners showed us the incredible range of volunteering happening within the Irish Red Cross.

If an Irish Red Cross volunteer has made a difference to you, your family or your community, share their story. A nomination is a simple but powerful way to say thank you.”

There are eight award categories in the Irish Red Cross National Volunteer Awards:

Volunteer of the Year

Young Volunteer of the Year

Community Support Volunteer of the Year

First Aid and Ambulance Unit Member of the Year

Instructor of the Year

Branch of the Year

Newcomer of the Year

Lifetime Achievement Award

Nominations are open until 25 September 2026. Visit www.redcross.ie/nva to nominate an Irish Red Cross Volunteer today.

The awards will be presented at a ceremony on Saturday 28 November 2026 in Croke Park.