Navan Garda named as "Ireland's Inspirational Hero"
FOLLOWING a nationwide search to uncover Ireland’s most inspirational people, Stacey Looby from Navan is celebrating after being named an Inspirational Hero in the Gala Retail and Virgin Media Inspiration Awards.
Community garda Stacey Looby was nominated for her hard work, dedication and positivity during the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Her amazing efforts focused on the elderly, from arranging shopping and collecting medicines, to surprising those cocooning alone with birthdays to remember.
She was also behind an appeal for children to make Easter cards for those in nursing homes. Originally hoping for around 100 cards, she received over 500.
More recently Stacey organised a Go Purple Day to raise funds and awareness for domestic violence, and has just completed a fundraiser for the Sean Cox appeal, raising over €6,000.
Inspirational people from across Ireland were nominated for the Gala Retail and Virgin Media Inspiration Awards, with 26 inspirational county heroes being named from the hundreds of entries received. Each of the 26 award-winning heroes demonstrated how they have made Ireland a better place with their selfless acts and inspirational deeds during the Covid-19 crisis, and how they have gone above and beyond for others in their local community.
Commenting on the quality of the entries, Gary Desmond, CEO of Gala Retail comments:
“This year Gala Retail teamed up with Virgin Media for the Inspiration Awards as we wanted to deliver a national platform to shine a light on and reward the amazing people who have become true heroes during life under lockdown and who are making a real difference to Irish society.
“2020 has been hugely difficult for everyone however, it has also demonstrated the immense community spirit that exists within Irish communities. Operating in communities throughout Ireland, Gala Retailers have seen first-hand some of the great work that people have been doing and we are proud to have been able to recognise some of these inspirational individuals. We were overwhelmed by the level of nominations we received and Stacey along with the fellow inspirational heroes are true examples of people who are making Ireland a better place for us all.”
2020 marks the second year of the Gala Retail Inspiration Awards created as a way of celebrating the selfless acts and inspirational deeds of people in Ireland who are making the country a better place.
Gala Retail has gifted €20,000 of prizes to the winners, with 26 county winners being awarded with luxury stays in some of Ireland’s most beautiful Blue Book properties. For further information, see www.gala.ie.