Meet the nation’s community charity heroes George & Mary
THEY have criss-crossed Europe countless times bringing aid convoys to Belarus; delivering vital dental care to thousands of orphans in the beleaguered state; and opening their home and hearts at great emotional cost to some of the most vulnerable children in the world.
For these reasons and much more within their incredible workload on behalf of Adi Roche’s Chernobyl Children’s International charity, Kerry couple George and Mary Sugrue were last week crowned Ireland’s Community Heroes in the Impact Charity Volunteer Ireland awards - the most prestigious title in the field.
A whirlwind week of interviews ensued, culminating in an appearance on RTÉ’s Claire Byrne Live on Monday where the couple communicated the continuing importance of the work of all in the charity.
That the award could not have been given to a more deserving couple is a sentiment that has been expressed by many since the announcement, but in their typically modest manner the couple said they see the award as a testament to the work of all in the charity and its supporters.
“For us, it is about getting the award for the charity and being able to show that the charity is alive and vibrant still, working hard to make conditions better for children who are to this day being impacted by the fallout of the Chernobyl disaster,” Mary said.
Their part in the CCI story has been crucial. Two of its chief fundraisers in Kerry, the couple also introduced a special dental programme along with dentist Marcus Mac Domhnaill (in whose practice Mary works as a dental technician) that has alleviated the pain of thousands of vulnerable children since it was established in 2006. Now the couple are working hard to help roll out the charity’s support of hospice in another extraordinary development.