Frank on volunteer awards shortlist

“AH sure, you’d want to do something for your local community,” is about all that Frank Heidtke has to say about his 30 years working as a volunteer and leader with the Dingle Coast and Cliff Rescue service and Dingle Coast Guard. But because other people have recognised that his efforts go far beyond the ordinary he’s now on a shortlist for a prestigious Volunteer Ireland Award.

Frank, who now the Officer in Charge with the Dingle Coast Guard unit, is on a shortlist of three in the Safety and Emergency Services category of the Volunteer Ireland Awards, which will be presented at a ceremony in Dublin on Friday.

The nomination records that, over 30 years ago, Frank was responsible for the revival of the Dingle Coast and Cliff team, several years after it had lapsed. He organised fundraising to buy rescue equipment - including a boat and a Unimog all-terrain vehicle that came all the way from Germany – and under his leadership the team has grown from strength to strength and now has 26 volunteer members.

“Frank...is cool and level headed and is held in high esteem by all the team members,” the nomination reads. “The local community and tourists alike have benefited greatly as a result of his unselfish dedication to one and all. He has inspired people to join the Dingle Coast Guard service and … was instrumental in initiating an extension to the original small building and making the Coast Guard building what it is today.”

The Volunteer Ireland awards, across 11 categories, will be decided by a panel of judges and the people of Dingle and beyond will be wishing Frank the best of luck on Friday.

Photo by Declan Malone Dingle Cycling Club members presenting the Dingle Coast and Cliff rescue crew on Thursday with a cheque for €5,905, which they raised through the 5,4,3,2,1 Challenge during the summer.