Renew Enterprises from Waterford City scooped the overall award at the 19th Annual Waterford PPN Community & Voluntary Awards at the gala awards ceremony in The Park Hotel, Dungarvan. Renew Enterprises will represent Waterford at the 2024 Pride of Place Awards, a national competition. This prestigious award is presented to the group which demonstrates excellence in Community Participation and Involvement.
The judges said, “the quality of the Social Enterprise nominations was extremely high this year and all groups should be very proud in what they have achieved and with their plans for the future. One nomination however, stood out from the rest. This organisation wraps itself around the mantra of social inclusion, while leading the way in sustainability. Ultimately though, they create high quality products that are recycled or upcycled, while giving opportunities to people who may not have the chance to gain employment and training through other channels.”
A packed house of 200 people attended the gala ceremony which included Cllr. Declan Doocey, Deputy Mayor Waterford City & County Council, Matt Shanahan TD, Senator John Cummins, Council officials, sponsors, adjudicators, Waterford City & County Council staff, Secretariat members of Waterford PPN and representatives from all groups and individuals nominated for this year’s awards.
Category Award Winners:
Children & Youth sponsored by Expressway – An Sean Phobal Ladies Football Club
Environment & Conservation sponsored by South East Energy Agency – Ballymacarbry Tidy Towns
Health & Wellbeing sponsored by BHP Insurance – Clashmore & Kinsalebeg Community Council
Social Enterprise sponsored by Cairde Credit Union & Waterford Credit Union – Renew Enterprises
Social Inclusion & Community Support sponsored by Local Link Waterford– KGK (Knockanore, Glendine, Kilwatermoy) Community Development
Spik & Span Best Kept Residential Area sponsored by Waterford City & County Council – Larchville Lisduggan Residents Association
Individual Awards – Sponsored by Waterford Volunteer Centre:
Age Friendly Volunteer of the Year – Eileen O’Toole, Waterford Marine Search & Rescue
Board/Committee Volunteer of the Year – Vivienne Burns, Helping Hands Waterford
Junior Volunteer of the Year – Sean Murphy, Roanmore GAA
Full details of the awards ceremony, winners, photos and sponsors to follow or visit Waterford PPN Website page.
