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Dundalk Branch of the Irish Red Cross takes home two national awards
Dundalk wins Young Volunteer of the Year & First Aid & Ambulance Unit Member of the Year at Irish Red Cross
Isabella Nordon, Young Volunteer of the Year 2025 and Ryan Hayes, First Aid & Ambulance Unit Member of the Year 2025
Reporter:
Donard McCabe
01 Dec 2025 10:00 PM
The Dundalk Branch of the Irish Red Cross took home two awards at the Irish Red Cross, National Volunteer Awards 2025 at a ceremony in Croke Park on Saturday.
Isabella Nordon (age 15) was awarded Young Volunteer of the Year 2025 and Ryan Hayes, First Aid & Ambulance Unit Member of the Year 2025.
The event was attended by Irish Red Cross volunteers as well as the organisation’s Chairman, Charlie Flanagan. Emceed by Deric Hartigan, the popular TV presenter and Ireland AM weather man, the ceremony celebrated the volunteers across the country who give their time and expertise to Ireland’s humanitarian organisation.
Isabella Nordon, Young Volunteer of the Year 2025 - Isabella has been an active volunteer for 11 years, since the age of four when she joined the Dundalk Irish Red Cross T-Bears, a group of young volunteers aged 4-9.
Isabella’s contributions and leadership have far exceeded expectations of a youth member. Isabella has supported the branch in a wide range of activities including fundraising, first aid duty cover, youth classes, emergency responses and youth education.
Isabella’s impact was especially evident during Storm Eowyn, when she helped establish the ‘Happy Hub’ in Carrickmacross - a warm and welcoming mental health and support space for young people affected by power outages.
Ryan Hayes, First Aid & Ambulance Unit Member of the Year - In recognition of his outstanding leadership, strategic vision and success in building a thriving and inclusive unit, Ryan Hayes was awarded Unit Member of the Year 2025.
With 16 years of service across three different branches, Ryan’s two years in Dundalk have been marked by dramatic growth and professionalisation. Since taking on the Unit Officer role, Ryan has transformed the first aid unit into one of the most active and professional in the region.
He has substantially increased the number of first aid duties covered, expanded patient transfer operations, and secured consistent contracted duties, ensuring fair and thorough coverage of community events.
Speaking at the ceremony, Charlie Flanagan, Chairman, Irish Red Cross, said, “Today is a really special day in the Irish Red Cross calendar. Our National Volunteer Awards is an opportunity to recognise the selfless commitment of our volunteers, all of whom deserve our gratitude and appreciation for everything they do in their communities.
"These are the first aiders who stand pitch side in all weather, these are the volunteer therapists who give hand therapy massages to residents in nursing homes, these are the community supporters who deliver essential supplies to those cut off due to storms, and extend a warm welcome to migrants fleeing war. They are the beating heart of the Irish Red Cross and the very best of us.”
Charlie congratulated Isabella and Ryan on their award wins. “Your commitment to volunteering, and supporting those most in need in your community is exceptional. Thank you sincerely for using your time and talents to make your locality a better, kinder place. You are a wonderful inspiration to all of us, and you truly deserve this recognition.”
Liam Maguire, Chair, Irish Red Cross Volunteer Support and Development Working Group said, “Congratulations to all our volunteer winners and our shortlisted volunteers.
"Today demonstrates how all Irish Red Cross volunteers go above and beyond the call of duty for their community. I want to thank all our volunteers across the country for their quiet but effective volunteering which has such a positive impact on their communities."
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