Ashbourne Heroes Winners Announced!

Ashbourne Heroes Winners Announced!

22/12/2020

McKeon Group initiative with Ashbourne & District Lions Club celebrates Ashbourne’s community heroes! 

To celebrate its 70th year in business, McKeon Group, in association with Ashbourne & District Lions Club, launched Ashbourne Heroes – an initiative to celebrate Ashbourne’s unsung community heroes.  

Speaking about Ashbourne Heroes, Director at McKeon Group and member of the AshbourneHeroes.ie adjudicating panel, Cliona Molloy said:

“We put out a call to the people of Ashbourne, asking them to nominate the everyday heroes within our community, and they certainly didn’t disappoint! We received so many heartfelt nominations and heard so many touching stories about the great work local people do behind the scenes. All of this work adds up to make Ashbourne a great place to live, work, socialise and spend time. We are so grateful to have had the opportunity to reward those who go above and beyond to help others.” 

Overall winner, Sabrina Wall, was named Ashbourne Hero and received a staycation voucher for Center Parcs worth €1,500. Sabrina was nominated nine times for her tireless work for charity, her positive spark and good humour and her ability to rally supporters. She never accepts praise and is always so grateful when others step up to help her.

In joint second place were John Fanning and Eugene Kennedy, each winning an Irish hotel voucher worth €750.  Through the nomination process, John was described as a “driving force for the betterment of Ashbourne”. He served on Meath County Council for 15 years. John has also helped to build Ashbourne into the town it is today – along with his trusted lawn mower! 

In the wake of a number of suicides in the area many years ago, Eugene brought together a number of supporters to form Ashbourne Suicide Awarness & Prevention (ASAP). He has said “if we save just one life, it will be worth it”. Ashbourne is a better, safer place because of this initiative. 

Our other finalists include Darren Donoghue, who set up Ashbourne Food Bank to help those who are struggling locally; Carol Hanley, who looked after frontline workers throughout the pandemic by providing meals, she also promotes suicide awarness locally; Sharon Hickey was nominated for her outreach activities within the community, helping newcomers get to know the neighbourhood, local businesses and community groups; Jack Holmes, who is described as one of the most active pensioners within Ashbourne, he is involved with numerous community projects including The Mens’ Shed, the Historical Society and the Ashbourne 2020 Committee; the youngest finalist, Charleigh Kavanagh, was nominated by her neighbours for donating money she received as gifts for her First Holy Communion to save the only green space in her housing estate; Garda Barbara Kelly has been recognised for going far beyond the call of duty with her willingness to help everyone and putting others needs ahead of her own; and Marta Modzinska was nominated many times, all nominations centered around her kindness and sincerity through lockdown during which she made sure everyone around her remained upbeat and hopeful. 

Each finalist received a €50 voucher to spend in an Ashbourne business, together with a piece of custom artwork created by Gerardine Mhic Eoin.

Full details can be found at  www.AshbourneHeroes.ie

About McKeon Group:

Established in 1950, this year marks the 70th anniversary of McKeon Group, which remains a family business. ISO certified for more than two decades, McKeon Group offers expert construction, fitout and building services. The Group delivers projects, services and maintenance across a range of sectors for State, local authority, FDI and private clients. For more information, contact: www.mckeon.ie