Donegal volunteers honoured for over 50 years of service to Irish Red Cross

A Fahan woman with more than five decades of service was among one of five Donegal volunteers honoured at a special Irish Red Cross ceremony in Dublin at the weekend.

Sally McLaughlin, a stalwart of the Fahan branch, was recognised for an extraordinary 55 years of volunteering, spanning leadership roles, training and frontline community support. She was one of 28 volunteers from across the country, including four others from Donegal, to receive long service medals at the event in the Mansion House on Saturday, marking 50 years or more of dedication to their communities.

Over the course of her involvement, Ms McLaughlin has played a central role in developing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training within the organisation, helping equip generations of volunteers and community members with lifesaving skills. She has also held numerous leadership roles within the Red Cross at local and regional level.

“I grew up with the Irish Red Cross, starting as a volunteer when I was still in primary school,” she said. “The Red Cross has always been part of my life and I made a lot of friendships over the years. I dedicated a lot of my time to volunteering - I was heavily involved in CPR training for community groups and teaching people how to be instructors. There are not many leadership roles that I haven’t held within the organisation, but it was always fun and always enjoyable.”

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Other local recipients were Bernadette McGrory, Michael McGrory and Gerard Moyne from the Fahan branch of the Red Cross, and Martin McKinney who volunteers with the Muff branch of the organisation, and all attended the medal presentation at Dublin's Mansion House.



Bernadette McGrory from the Fahan branch

The awards were presented by Irish Red Cross chairperson Charlie Flanagan, who paid tribute to the remarkable commitment shown by long-serving volunteers across the country. “It really is remarkable that these wonderful volunteers have dedicated so much time and energy to help others,” Mr Flanagan said. “Over an astonishing 50 years, they have committed themselves to their local community.

“The work they’ve done over those decades - providing first aid support at local events, teaching CPR skills to school students and community groups, offering therapeutic hand massages to nursing home residents, to mention just some examples - have touched so many lives, young and old.

“Thanks to their quiet, steady leadership, their skills and experience built up over many years, and ultimately their compassion and humanity, our communities are stronger and more resilient.”

Gerard Moyne, Fahan Branch

Irish Red Cross Secretary General Deirdre Garvey also praised the recipients, describing them as a vital support within their communities over many decades.

“These volunteers have been a bastion of support to their local community over many decades. They represent the very best of us and are an inspiration to me and so many others. I deeply admire and respect their generosity of spirit, their positive action and their leadership in demonstrating what it means to serve and to be there for those most in need.”

Michael McGrory, Fahan Branch

The Irish Red Cross has around 4,000 volunteers across 71 branches nationwide, supporting communities to prepare for emergencies, respond when they occur and recover in their aftermath.