Call for Nominations for Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards in association with Lee Strand

The Kerry Division of An Garda Síochána in association with Lee Strand Milk is calling for nominations for young people between the ages of 13 years and 21 years to recognise the great contribution young people have made and continue to make to their communities in Kerry during these challenging times.

The celebratory awards ceremony will not take place this year due to restrictions. However, everyone who is nominated will receive an official Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Award certificate.

Awards will be presented to individuals who have made a positive contribution to their community and make it a better place to live.

A Group Award will also be presented to groups of two or more people who have made an impact on their community. The Special Achievement Award will be presented to an individual who has overcome difficult circumstances, has defied all the odds, and whose commitment deserves recognition.

A Community Safety Award will be presented to an individual who through crime prevention or a safety initiative/innovation has made

their community a safer place to

live. The Overall Winner of the Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Award 2020 will also be presented.

Chief Superintendent Eileen Foster stated; “This has been a difficult year for everybody but perhaps especially for our old and young people.  It is also, perhaps a time that we give the best of ourselves and throughout this pandemic young people are giving back to their own communities through voluntary work, sport, or educational achievements.

The Youth Achievement Awards, gives An Garda Síochána, an opportunity to engage with young people in a positive fashion and recognise these positive interactions, for the betterment of the community as a whole.

The Garda Youth Awards will take on a different format this year to comply with restrictions, but without the continuous support of Lee Strand, the highly respected Local Co-op in the community, it would not be possible to acknowledge these achievements.”

Gearoid Linnane, CEO, Lee Strand stated; “Lee Strand has a strong commitment to supporting initiatives within the local community and we are delighted to support the Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards since 1998. The awards provide a great opportunity to celebrate and recognise the achievements of the young people of Kerry. Things are different this year, but one thing that is the same are our fantastic youth, who continue to make a positive impact within their local community.”

The closing date for receipt of nominations is 12 noon on Friday, 26th of February 2021. Any member of the public can nominate a young person who they feel has contributed to their local community.

Nominations are accepted from individuals, community and voluntary groups, schools, and youth clubs/organisation.

The winners will be selected by a panel of judges who are community volunteers from around the county under the chairmanship of Chief Superintendent Eileen Foster, An Garda Síochána.

Nomination forms are available to download on www.leestrand.ie or email tralee.community@garda.ie For further details contact Tralee Garda

 Station on 066 7102311.