Blarney’s Kate is the April Cork Person of the Month
A BLARNEY woman who was last year crowned ‘Ireland’s Most Inspirational Woman’ in recognition of her trojan community work has been unveiled as the Cork Person of the Month for April.
Kate Durrant’s name will now go forward for the prestigious 2020 Cork Person of the Year award, the winner of which will be announced in December.
Perhaps one of the busiest community activist not just in Cork, but the whole of Ireland, Kate plays an active role in various local voluntary groups in addition to running a successful business.
A co-founder of the local St Vincent de Paul conference, which helps up to 200 families each week, Kate also helps provide support for families of asylum seekers living in direct provision.
A long-time volunteer and puppy socialiser with Irish Guide Dogs for the Disabled, in 2016 she and friend Deborah Lynch co-founded the Blarney First Responders and the following year Kate was a member of the team that brought the Pieta House Darkness Into Light walk to Blarney.
A member of the local school’s Board of Management and secretary and treasurer of Blarney Tidy Towns, Kate has also works with the local COVID-19 Community Response Forum. It works seven-days-a-week alongside Cork City Council to provide hot meals vital groceries, medicine and fuel deliveries and social care supports to vulnerable people in their homes.
The judging panel at last years Inspiration Awards described Kate as a “true community champion” sentiments echoed by Cork Person of the Year awards founder, Mallow native Manus O’Callaghan.
“The people of Blarney and Cork are very lucky to have Kate working on their behalf and
I know they grateful for the work that she does on their behalf. She selflessly gives her time to causes and people that need support, and we are thrilled to acknowledge her commitment to the Cork community with this award,” said Manus.
Kate said she was humbled to be named Cork Person of the Month.
“It’s very special to be recognised by my adopted home place of Blarney and Cork. There is always a need for volunteers in Cork, and I would encourage everyone to get involved and give back to their local community,” she said.
“I’ve a very good group of friends and we’re not taking on problems, we’re involved in solutions. I’ve a roof over my head and a full fridge, so I win the lottery every single day I wake up,” she added.