A Ballaghaderreen volunteer has been presented with the Vision Ireland Shop Volunteer of the Year award.
Joanne Scutt dedicates one day a week to the retail shop in the County Roscommon town and was presented with the award in recognition of her ten years of service at the local branch, her commitment to fundraising and for training to become a guide runner for the visually impaired.
Joanne was originally a customer when the shop was operated by Mrs Quinn and later on was asked would she be interested in committing a few hours to working in the charity shop.
Although working another job as a technician at Styles and Smiles in Ballymoe, she volunteers in the Ballaghaderreen premises every Wednesday dealing with merchandising and displays.
The 48-year-old told the Roscommon Herald: “I love it. I think to volunteer for anything you really have to enjoy it. I also work with a lovely team and manager.” Joanne is also involved in fundraising for the charity Vision Ireland (formerly NCBI) and has run a number of mini marathons, the Dublin City Marathon, has climbed Croagh Patrick and has also been involved in a various other initiatives.
She is also training to be a guide runner, which would allow her to assist anyone who is visually impaired to take up running with her help.
She said she was completely shocked to hear she won the award: “My manager, Lisa Chillingworth, nominated me but never told me. I was shocked but honoured.” She added: “You don’t volunteer to get recognition but this award is also for the team and all volunteers.”
This is the first time this award has been presented by Vision Ireland. The charity has about 1,100 people giving up their free time all over the country.
If anyone is interested in becoming involved she is encouraging them to pop into their local branch or to get in touch with Vision Ireland through their social media sites.
Joanne was presented with her award at Dáil Éireann where Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was in attendance.