Darragh takes national Foroige award as individual wins for first time

Darragh Hynes from Ratoath has been named the overall national winner at the Aldi Foróige Youth Citizenship Awards. His Citizenship Project, which raised money for St Francis Hospice through holding a culture night was chosen from over 200 community projects developed by young people.
 
This is the first time, since the Programme began in 1969, that an individual has won the top prize at the awards. In that 49 years it has always been a group of young people, working together, to win. 
 
17 years-old Darragh decided that he would raise funds for St Francis Hospice, as it was a charity close to many in the community. Darragh, with the support of Ratoath Foróige Club, organised a culture night in the local village theatre. At the event people were encouraged to display talents in a non competitive atmosphere. Darragh contacted the hospice and sought permission to fundraise for them and they provided buckets and tshirts. Through ticket sales, raffle tickets and the bucket collection Darragh and the team raised €2,140 for St. Francis Hospice.
 
More than 2,000 young people, representing every county in Ireland, descended on the Citywest Conference Centre to celebrate and showcase their community action projects at the Awards. Some 200 youth groups took part, having worked on Citizenship Projects focused on improving the entrants’ local communities in areas such as equality, homelessness, inclusion, community events, mental health, culture and much more.
 
Seven projects received gold awards, five silver and eight bronze. Gold winning projects included Ballineen Foróige Agri Lads, which developed a new kill switch for tractors to enhance farm safety and Islandeady Senior Foróige Club, which promoted healthy eating through holding workshops and planting vegetables.
 
Seán Campbell, CEO of Foróige said: “The Aldi Foróige Youth Citizenship Awards programme is designed to empower young people across Ireland to use their skills and talents to make a positive contribution to their local community.”
 
“The programme involves young people researching the needs of their community, organising practical action in response, evaluating the effectiveness of their work and reflecting on what they’re learning along the way. The projects entered were all about solving social issues in the community for the community.”
 
“The standard of entry this year was exceptional and we are so proud of all those who took part and everything these young people have achieved in their communities.”
 
The Awards were opened by Minister of State for Equality, Immigration and Integration, David Stanton T.D. Host was  Today FM presenter Alison Curtis, while Seo Linn and DJ Claire Beck provided music throughout the day.
 
This year was the fourth year Aldi has partnered with Foróige to support the Awards, having recently agreed a new three-year €900,000 partnership extension with the youth organisation.
 
Finbar McCarthy, Group Buying Director with Aldi added: “Aldi’s commitment to Foróige is underlined by committing to another three year partnership. Every year we have attended the Awards the standard of Citizenship Project entry has improved and the dedication and passion of these young people is very humbling.” 
 
“We at Aldi are equally passionate about supporting local communities. In each of the communities served by our 130 stores across the 26 counties, we strive to act responsibly and to go above and beyond in our relationships with local residents, suppliers, as well as charity and not for profit organisations. Aldi’s Community Support Programme helps a diverse range of national and local intitiaves, benefiting communities in areas such as health and wellbeing, poverty, food waste and the environment, as well as youth citizenship. Every project here today serves as an important reminder that we all have the potential to be a good citizen, and that means action to bring about change for the better.”