Athlone's Sinead presented with NUI Galway Gaisce Gold Medal honour

Sinéad Reidy, from Athlone, was one of eight inspirational NUI Galway students recently presented with the Gaisce Gold Award by President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, for their civic engagement and personal development.

The students, Sinéad Reidy, Catherine Mohan, Ciara McDaid, Erin Shimizu, Jason Sherlock, Kirsty Moran, Odhran Wheelan, and Orla Masterson, volunteered hundreds of hours with a variety of nonprofit organisations including Ability West, SVP, Barretstown Children's Camps, Tidy Towns, and Childline, as well as undertaking student leadership roles around inclusion and diversity.

Commenting on her award, Sinéad said: "The advice I would give to people thinking of doing Gaisce is apply now!

"I'm really enjoying the challenge at the moment. The different parts of the Gaisce award are very encouraging and they force you to get more involved in the college clubs and societies, which is a great way to make new friends."

The CEO of Gaisce, Yvonne McKenna said: "Gaisce – The President’s Award is unique in the sense that it encourages young people to set their own personal development goals within a framework that allows them to achieve them and contribute to their communities in their own way.

"Every single day I am inspired by the courage, the energy and the commitment of young people doing their Gaisce Award, and I am so thrilled we are getting to celebrate the breadth of their achievements, from tackling global challenges like biodiversity to local supports for neighbours in need, young people are consistently push themselves for others."

Gaisce – the President’s Award is a programme that aims to foster and develop young people's potential. It is a guided and supported framework that is provided for young people aged 14 -25 to explore their natural skills and gain confidence and wellbeing through participation in personal, physical and community challenges.

Lorraine Tansey, NUI Galway’s President’s Award Leader, said: "Throughout the pandemic students committed to undertaking the Gaisce award challenge in their communities volunteering and building their mental and physical health skills.

"We are inspired by the commitment students made and look forward to building on their leadership offering students continued civic learning opportunities with our university community partners."