The Sligo Champion

Inspiratio­nal locals to be honoured with awards

MUCH ANTICIPATE­D EVENT TAKES PLACE THIS FRIDAY IN RADISSON BLU

- By JESSICA FARRY

THE countdown to the 2018 Sligo Business Awards is almost over.

The event takes place in three days and tickets are selling fast, so if you are interested in going you are advised to pick up tickets for the much anticipate­d event as soon as possible.

Among the awards being handed out on the night are the Sligo Ambassador of the Year Award, sponsored by Bibby Financial Services, which will go to RTE’s Tommie Gorman.

This award is presented to Tommie for going the extra mile to promote Sligo’s name beyond its physical shorelines.

He is currently the Northern Editor for RTE, where he has worked since 1980.

Mr. Gorman is well known for his work in the media and his contributi­on to the community here

Another award being handed out on Friday night is the Sligo Lifetime Achievemen­t Award, sponsored by David McConville Orthodonti­cs which will be presented to Helen Rochford Brennan.

Helen is well known countrywid­e for her inspiratio­nal talks about her journey with dementia. She is the Chair of the European Dementia Working Group and is a board member of Alzheimer Europe.

SPeaking to The Sligo Champion, she said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be picking up this award.

“It’s such a privilege and an honour. It’s great to be recognised in Sligo.

“I still travel around for various events and there’s a running joke because I’m al- ways trying to get people to come to Sligo and I’m always talking about how great Sligo is so to be recognised by my own country is just brilliant.”

The Special Recognitio­n Award for Sligo Volunteer of The Year, sponsored by Gilroy Gannon will go to Johnny Banks, of Collooney.

Johnny is well known throughout Sligo for his work with the Teeling Centre, and his work in Collooney and even further afield.

Such is his standing within the community, he was honoured with a civic reception by Sligo County Council in 2016.

The winners of ten others awards will be learned on the night.

The awards category for 2018 is as follows: Best Emerging Business Award, Best Retail Business Award, Best Customer Experience Award, Best Environmen­t Heritage and Community Enterprise Award, Best Innovation in Business, Best Tourism Award, Best Farming & Agri Sector Business Award, Corporate Social Responsibi­lity, Best Rural Business Award and Best Female Led Business Award.

The Sligo Business Awards take place this Friday, October 5 th, in the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa.

The drinks reception begins at 7.30, followed by the awards ceremony at 8pm.

For tickets, contact lorrainemc­donnell@ sligochamp­ion.ie or call 0719169222.

Tickets cost €55 and dress code for the event is business formal.

 ??  ?? Helen Rochford Brennan.
Helen Rochford Brennan.

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