A DUBLIN pensioner was yesterday honoured with the "Volunteer of the Year" award by children's charity Barnardos.
Paddy O'Reilly from Tallaght was honoured in recognition of his "outstanding contribution to the Barnardos Wizards of Words reading programme" at a ceremony to thank volunteers who have spent 20,000 hours helping vulnerable children and families.
The programme involved the pairing of volunteers aged over 55 with first and second class pupils, to give them extra reading support during school hours.
The overall winner of the Helping Hands award was Kathrina Bray (21), from Westmeath, for her work with Habitat for Humanity in Paraguay. Ms Bray was described by one of her team members as "the strongest and most hard-working girl I have ever met".
Speaking at the ceremony, Barnardos chief executive Fergus Finlay said that "every year the Helping Hands award demonstrates that young people today have not lost the ability to be involved in their communities, to help those less fortunate and to make a real impact on society".
Mr Finlay said that he was thankful for the amazing number of hours people of all ages had given to vulnerable children and families.