Navan volunteer takes 'Do The Right Thing’ crown

Navan volunteer Johnny Finegan Jr and Carol Leonard from Offaly, and now living in Galway, last week won RTE’s 'Do The Right Thing’ television challenge. The pair were crowned the 'ultimate volunteers’ and their prize is to spend a year working on volunteer projects on three continents, with all flights, meals and accommodation provided. Johnny (27) and Carol (26) will travel to Ghana where they’ll be working on vital construction and sanitation projects, before travelling to Jaipur in India where they will join in the battle against child labour. Finally, their year will end with two months in Thailand working on an animal conservation project. The finale last Thursday featured the four finalists taking on the challenge of living on the streets of Dublin for 24 hours in a bid to raise awareness of the plight of the capital’s homeless and film their respective experiences for the Simon Community’s website. “I’m over the moon,” said Johnny, a consultant engineer. “We’re going to some amazing countries. The tasks seem so exciting. I can’t wait to get to India. I enjoy my work as an engineer immensely, but this is going to be so different. I’ve never done anything on this scale. It’ll really put me out of my comfort zone. Taking part in 'Do The Right Thing’ has given me an opportunity to do something unbelievable for a year. And the fact that I won gives me a lot more confidence and belief in my own ability,” he said. Presenter Baz Ashmawy said: “I think any of the finalists would have been worthy winners but Johnny and Carol were consistent throughout. They’re also two of the nicest, most genuinely caring people I’ve had the pleasure to meet and I’m delighted they’ve won!” Johnny and Carol’s likeability, physical and emotional strength and supportive natures were constantly praised by their fellow volunteers throughout the various challenges they faced together. Whether they were helping to build a house for a Zambian family, surviving intense interrogation with the Irish Army, caring for orphans in Belarus, criss-crossing Europe with vital medical supplies or raising awareness nationally for the Pakistan funds, both impressed their co-volunteers with their good humour, can-do attitude and willingness to support their team.