Westmeath Netwatch Family Carer of the Year named

A Walderstown woman has been named as this year’s Netwatch Westmeath Family Carer of the Year.

Fiona McCormack cares for her daughter Caoimhe (14) who has an intellectual disability and multiple chronic medical conditions which require specialised care.

The announcement that Fiona was this year’s winner was made by Family Carers Ireland, the national charity supporting Ireland’s family carers.

Fiona was nominated by her friend Lorraine who describes her as an incredible mother and family carer who still gives a huge amount to her other children, works tirelessly raising funds for various charities, and is admired by all who come into contact with her.

The annual awards seek to recognise and shine a light on the remarkable contribution of Ireland’s forgotten frontline who go the extra mile every day in caring for loved ones with additional needs. More than 500,000 people in Ireland provide unpaid care in the home for children or adults with physical or intellectual disabilities, frail older people, those with palliative care needs or those living with chronic illnesses, mental ill-health, or addiction. The 19 million hours of unpaid care provided each week by family carers would cost the state €20bn a year to replace.

Manager

Longford Westmeath Carer Supports Manager, Paul Farrell, said the awards are about paying tribute to all of Ireland's 500,000 family carers and shining a light on the immense work that they do, day in, day out, often with little or no help from the State.

“Now more than ever, family carers deserve to be recognised for their enormous contribution to our society,” Mr Farrell said.

“Their unyielding commitment to care for their loved ones at home, particularly during the Covid-19 crisis, has been nothing short of remarkable and this sacrifice often comes at a cost to their physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing.

“Their essential contribution to our national healthcare system needs to be properly acknowledged and supported.”