Rotary launch seach for people of the year

WICKLOW Rotary Club, in association with Phil Healy’s Pub, have launched new awards which will provide people with the chance to acknowledge individuals and groups or organisations who have made a real difference to the community.

The Nell Healy People of the Year Award is named after the highly-respected Ellen Healy, who passed away just over three years ago. Nell was the backbone of Phil Healy’s for over 52 years and she always acknowledged the good deeds performed and the achievements of individuals in the community. It is, therefore, fitting that her name should be associated with these awards.

The awards will allow the public to honour individuals, groups or organisations for their extraordinary achievement, in areas that include public service, social advocacy, culture and community life.

There are four categories in all.

The International Person of the Year Award is open to an Irish person who has made an outstanding contribution on an international level, or to a person from outside Ireland who has made a positive impact to life on the island of Ireland.

The Young Person of the Year Award is for extraordinary achievements made by a young person, aged 25 years or under.

The Sportsperson of the Year Award will seek someone who has excelled in their chosen sport to create records and make living history.

The Community Group of the Year Award is open to a group of people who have stepped up to the mark to support a cause.

Forms are available at Phil Healy’s and on the Wicklow Rotary Club website. The closing date for the receipt of all applications is February 16.

All application forms should be sent or dropped into the Grand Hotel in Wicklow town.

The adjudication panel should consist of three Rotarians and two non-Rotarians.

There will be three nominees in each category and one winner.

The awards are not about the Rotary Club or Phil Healy’s, but provides an opportunity to acknowledge the achievements of people who have stepped up and made a positive contribution to the Wicklow community and the parish. A devastated family whose pet dog has been missing for over a week fear she was stolen from their garden.

Coco is a five year old Labradoodle mix who went missing from Ashtown Lane, Wicklow town, some time between 9 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 10.

Patricia St John knew Coco was missing as soon as she came home on that fateful day.

‘She always comes out to greet me so I knew something was up when I came home and there was no sign of her. We always let her have the run of the garden.

‘ The only places she ever goes are to a next door neighbour who has a dog or across the road. She has never wandered away in all the five years we have had her. That’s why we think she might have been stolen.

‘We have two boys, a 12 year old and a 14 y ear old, and we are all incredibly attached to Coco. My 12 year old plays with her every day and he is totally devastated.’

Coco is also neutered and micro-chipped.

Patricia immediately reported her missing and contacted the Gardai and local animal shelters and veterinarian practices to see if there had been any sign of a dog matching Coco’s description.

She also rang around different locations in case Coco had been taken in suffering from poisoning but came up with no leads as to her pet’s whereabouts.

‘ There was a reported sighting down the pier but that person said the dog ran off when approached. That’s not like Coco. She is so friendly she would be all over you,’ said Patricia.

If anyone has witnessed or does see a dog matching Coco’s description then they can contact Patricia on (086) 3974927.