Inishowen’s Bernadette McElhinney named Volunteer of the Year

Bernadette McElhinney from Síoraí Clothing, Carndonagh, has won the Martin Kenny Volunteer of the Year Award at the annual Charity Retail Ireland Impact Awards

Bernadette secured the award ahead of two other shortlisted nominees after impressing the judging panel with her outstanding contribution to charity retail and its community.

Since opening in 2016, Síoraí Clothing has raised vital funds to support the work of

Spraoi agus Spórt, helping to provide affordable and inclusive social, recreational and educational activities for children, young people, adults and families across Inishowen.

The organisation has a particular focus on supporting people with disabilities and autism, tackling disadvantage and reducing social isolation throughout the community.

Bernadette was recognised for her remarkable commitment, generosity and dedication over the past ten years. A retired primary school principal who has lived in the local community for more than five decades, Bernadette has been volunteering with the shop since it first opened and remains one of its most valued team members.

Drawing on her background in education, Bernadette plays an important role in training and mentoring others, helping volunteers and programme participants develop practical retail skills and confidence.

Through the organisation's WorkAbility programme, she supports people with disabilities to gain valuable workplace experience, while also helping a Community Employment participant from Ukraine improve her English, making day-to-day communication and learning at work easier.

Fluent in Irish, Bernadette also generously supports Spraoi agus Spórt with Irish language translations, names and terminology whenever required, providing an additional contribution beyond her regular volunteering duties.

The income generated through Síoraí Clothing is reinvested directly into the programmes and services delivered by Spraoi agus Spórt, including childcare, disability and inclusion services, family support initiatives, youth programmes and educational activities. Through her volunteering, Bernadette contributes not only to the success of the shop but also to the wider wellbeing of the Inishowen community.

Speaking about the awards, Mark Sweeney, Chair of Charity Retail Ireland, said:

"The Charity Retail Ireland Awards celebrate the incredible work of charity retail teams as they support their causes, engage with their communities and promote reuse. Síoraí Clothing is an excellent example of how innovation, creativity and commitment can generate meaningful social impact while supporting a more sustainable future. We are delighted to recognise the achievements of their team on a national stage."

For more information, visit charityretail.ie.