Mark receives a gold award

October 2012

A YOUNG Arklow man has received a prestigious Gold Gaisce Award which was presented by President Michael D. Higgins at a ceremony in

Dublin Castle recently.

Mark Culleton accepted his award having reached outstanding community work and personal goals.

He was one of 70 young people from around the country who set themselves the task of achieving specific targets in various categories over a number of years.

Mark’s first experience of the Gaisce Awards programme was during his time at Arklow CBS where he achieved his Bronze Award which inspired him to complete the Gold Award. During his third year in Trinity College he took on the challenge.

For the Community Involvement section of his Gold Award Mark got involved with the Trinity St. Vincent de Paul Society, initially working with adults with physical disabilities and then turning his attention to volunteering with an after school homework club. Mark undertook to learn how to play the guitar as part of the Skills aspect of the award and can now play a few classical pieces while hoping to continue to add more to his growing repertoire.

The Gold Gaisce gave Mark the perfect opportunity and motivation to take up a martial art, something he always wanted to do. He joined Trinity’s Shotakan Karate Club, training at least twice a week and competing in various competitions. Over the course of the 18 months, Mark has progressed by four stages onto a green belt and continues to be a club member and treasurer.

For the Residential element of his Award Mark spent a weekin Sunshine House in Balbriggan which though testing proved to be a wonderful experience. As part of his Adventure Journey Mark travelled with a group of students from the Trinity St Vincent de Paul Society to the Camino de Santiago, a historic pilgrim walk which crosses many countries inEurope and converges on the town of Santiago in Northern Spain. Mark undertook the challenge as part of a charity event and each participant had to fundraise personally before taking part. His challenge began in Valenca in Northern Portugal. Mark found it very physically challenging, however the company of the group and sense of camaraderie made it all worthwhile.