Team Ireland volunteers for the 2023 Berlin World Games celebrated at reunion event
The team of volunteers who played their part in making the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin such a success were recognised and celebrated at a Volunteer Reunion event at Salesforce Tower, Dublin on Saturday 21 October.
The volunteers performed roles at the Berlin World Games ranging from coaching, management, events, officials, media, and more.
They were recognised for their efforts through an event that combined speeches, powerfully emotional video footage from the Games, and the presentation of certificates of appreciation.
Live interview discussions were held with Team Ireland swimmer Patricia Larkin, who told of her experience of the Games as an athlete with a busy schedule who found success through the support of tight-knit family and a strong team of coaches and volunteers.
A similar Q&A session featured Team Ireland golf coach Mike Forde, who recounted stories and experiences from multiple World Games.
Mary Gallagher of Salesforce, Special Olympics Board members Dr. Brendan O'Brien, Aengus Sheerin and Nazih Eldin, Special Olympics Ireland CEO Matt English, and staff were all on hand to celebrate the stalwart work of the guests, many of whom have been active with Special Olympics Ireland for years.
The event was generously hosted by a team of Salesforce staff, who volunteered their own time to welcome the volunteer guests!
Photos of the event can be viewed here.
A list of the volunteers recognised is below:
- Amanda Johnston
- Caroline Daly
- Caroline Kelly
- Chloe Farrell
- Christopher Dolan
- Ciara Kennedy
- Deborah McArdle
- Deirdre Nisbet
- Denise Vaughan
- Eamonn Murphy
- Eddie Gannon
- Emily Walsh
- Fiona Farrell
- Fiona Kennedy
- Frances Daly
- George Fitzgerald
- Gerard McWilliams
- Greg Commins
- Irene Lawler
- Jillian Kerins
- John McNaboe
- Louise Grant
- Mags Curtain
- Mairéad Flynn
- Margaret Bradley
- Marie Healy
- Marta Asemota
- Martina Lowe
- Mary Carey
- Mary Shiels
- Michelle Meehan
- Mike Forde
- Miriam Deasy
- Niamh Withers
- Nikki Barry
- Patricia Gleeson
- Petra Bangemann
- Philomena O’Hare
- Rebecca Nolan
- Rita McNally
- Sandra Hayden
- Saundra Shier
- Shelly Breslin
- Sonia Ferris
- Veronica Murray
- Darren Goodman
- Victoria Armitage
The following volunteers could not attend and will receive their certificates by post:
- Antoinette Campbell
- Ailish Smyth
- Aislinn Delaney
- Alan Gormally
- Angela Clarke
- Angela Griffin
- Anthony Monaghan
- Brian McGuigan
- Brian O'Callaghan
- Caitlin Cruise
- Caitriona Foy
- Cathal Ruane
- Catherine Smyth
- Christy Hickey
- Claire Heffernan
- Cliodhna Moore
- Cliona Dodd
- Colm Keane
- Daniel Hurley
- Darren Goodman
- Dash Selvaratnam
- Declan O'Connell
- Deirdre Kavanagh
- Deirdre Lyons
- Denis O'Gorman
- Emmet O'Toole
- Esther King
- Etta Hayes
- Frances Hoare
- Gavin Kennedy
- Gintare Kersulyte
- Graham Doolan
- Hazel Bird
- James Mulroy
- James Scullion
- Jennifer Murphy
- John Dunican
- Jonathan Jennings
- Kelly Fitzgerald
- Ken Kavanagh
- Kieran Foley
- Kim McCrave
- Lee Campbell
- Liam O'Toole
- Liz Brooks
- Louise O'Toole
- Louise Tinney
- Maeve Russell
- Marianne Dorman
- Martin Moore
- Megan Cunning
- Michael Fahy
- Michael Spelman
- Mick Mason
- Mike Stanford
- Miriam Judge
- Muireann O'Neill
- Natasha Kavanagh
- Norma Thompson
- Olga Moore Yonet
- Paddy Slattery
- Pamela O'Donnell
- Pat Doherty
- Patricia McLoughlin
- Patrick Duffy
- Paul Martyn
- Peter King
- Philip Burns
- Philip Rooney
- Roby Vettoor
- Roisin O Sullivan
- Ronan O'Flynn
- Sinead Ni Chaolain
- Tara Cunningham
- Terence Higgins
- Trisha McLernon
- Verona Pentony
- Veronica Murray
