The recipients of this year’s Fexco Kerry Heroes awards have been announced.
Over the last month listeners to Radio Kerry were invited to nominate the individuals or groups they considered made them proudest to be from the county over the past year.
The eight recipients received awards which are sponsored by Fexco and created by dsigns of Tralee.
Forbairt na Dromoda Teo, a community social enterprise in the Iveragh Gaeltacht, saved the local shop and pub, when the group bought The Inny Tavern and foodstore, thereby providing a vital social space for the community.
Dingle Coast Guard volunteers were honoured for their dedication, bravery and commitment to safety.
Lisselton’s Padraic Kissane, a financial advisor, confronted the banks and made them face up to their role in the tracker mortgage scandal, which led to over €1 billion in refunds and compensation to home owners.
Jerh O’Donoghue founded the Social Action Group in Rathmore in 1975 to give young people an opportunity to become involved and help their community. The group’s achievements include developing a day care centre, meals on wheels, and raising over a quarter-of-a-million euro to help those in developing nations.
The Kerry senior football team and management were also chosen for winning the All-Ireland and bringing Sam Maguire back to the Kingdom.
Killarney’s Seán O’Sullivan saved his son, Seán Óg’s life when the 24-year-old collapsed and had a cardiac arrest last April. Sean Senior is now an advocate for widespread CPR training.
Anthony O’Carroll from Ballyduff is honoured for his courage and hard work after a life-changing motor bike injury, which had left him with multiple and complex fractures as well as a brain injury. His mother Mary describes him as a warrior.
Marian Barnes is recognised for her work in founding Recovery Haven, to support people diagnosed with and recovering from cancer.
CEO of Radio Kerry Group Fiona Stack said that the nominations show how lucky
we are to live in a community where so many groups and individuals step forward to help others.
She congratulated the winners and the other nominees to the Fexco Kerry Heroes Awards, and thanked listeners for their nominations.
