A GROUP established to support families affected by sudden cardiac death and a service which promotes psychological wellbeing for immigrants living in Ireland are among nine organisations to be shortlisted for the 2009 David Manley Emerging Entrepreneur Awards.
The awards, which were established in 2003 in memory of a former president of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, recognise up-and-coming entrepreneurs in business, the arts and the community.
The overall winner receives a €10,000 cash prize plus mentoring and advice worth €100,000 from the awards’ sponsors, which include Deloitte, Mason, Hayes Curran and Enterprise Ireland. In addition, individual category winners are awarded €1,000.
The Sudden Cardiac Death in the Young Support Group (SCDYSG) was set up by Mary Desmond Vasseghi after her 18-year-old son Darius died suddenly at home in May 2005 despite being fit and healthy.
On average, two young people under the age of 35 die from sudden cardiac arrest every week in Ireland.
The support group is seeking to reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death in young people through the development of a national screening programme. It also seeks to encourage placement of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in schools, sports venues and public places.
The winner of the David Manley Emerging Entrepreneur Awards 2009 will be announced at a ceremony to be held in Dublin on January 21st. For more details, visit www.davidmanley awards.ie
