Good Causes finalists take part in filming ahead of awards

TWO inspiring Wicklow groups, the Dublin/Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team and Bray Cardiac First Responders, are preparing for the inaugural National Lottery Good Causes Awards finals which take place in Dublin on Saturday, November 3.

The groups beat off stiff competition to be announced as finalists in the Sport & Recreation and Community categories for the East Region in the awards, which honour the work of thousands of projects, clubs and individuals all over Ireland with the help of Good Causes funding.

The awards will be presented by Karen Koster and will appear on Virgin Media One on Sunday, November 11, at 9 p.m.

There was great excitement when Virgin Media One visited the groups in the last week to film for the awards show.

The Dublin/Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team is responsible for saving multiple lives over the years. The team responds to lost walkers, experienced mountaineers who get caught out due to bad weather and tourists who have no navigation experience but want to enjoy scenic areas.

Good Causes funding has helped purchase the first mountain rescue stretcher capable vehicle in Ireland. This vehicle has had a huge impact on rescues, reducing the amount of time an injured or ill patient has to be manually carried over uneven terrain.

Bray Cardiac First Responders is a volunteer group which works with the National Ambulance Service and attends to people who are in cardiac arrest, choking, chest pain, stroke and or unconscious collapse.

Good Causes funding has allowed the group to purchase equipment to train members of the community, including sixth class pupils in two primary schools in the town.

The judging panel, chaired by broadcaster and businessman Bobby Kerr, spent two days in Athlone meeting 36 finalists from all over Ireland. The panel also included Lotto presenter Nuala Carey, National Lottery Head of Marketing Michael Hayes, National Lottery PR and Corporate Communications Manager Miriam Donohoe and Seamus Griffin representing the National Lottery Retail Council.

Awards chairman Bobby Kerr said the judging panel had an incredibly hard job deciding on the winners for the competition.

‘We were blown away by the 36 presentations. Each of the groups we met are doing amazing work in their communities and were all winners in their own rights. The work that is being done all over Ireland with the help of Good Causes funding is outstanding.’