Galway Hospice receives Galway City Council Volunteer of the Year Award

We are delighted to share that our amazing volunteers at Galway Hospice have been honoured with the ‘Volunteer of the Year’ award at the Galway City Council Mayor’s Awards, in recognition of their outstanding dedication to our palliative care services.

The Mayor’s Awards provide an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate people who commit time and effort to making their community a better place.

At the awards ceremony, which took place on May 1st at the Galway Bay Hotel, Galway City Mayor Peter Keane said:

“Galway has long been blessed with devoted and committed people who play a vital role in providing comfort, dignity and emotional support to patients and families during some of life’s most challenging moments. These volunteers provide companionship, support grieving families, offer personal care to enhance wellbeing, and organise fundraising to support vital services.”

He continued:

“They are at the heart of hospice care, offering their time selflessly to ensure every patient and family receives compassion, dignity and comfort. Their commitment is unwavering, with many serving for years and even decades, showing unparalleled dedication. Their work transforms the hospice into a place of comfort and hope, setting a national standard of volunteer excellence. Without them, Galway Hospice would not be able to provide the same level of care. Their impact ensures that nobody faces illness or loss alone, making them truly deserving of this recognition.”

When receiving the award, Galway Hospice volunteer Trudy Concannon commented:

“I love it. I absolutely love it. It’s really uplifting for us to be there. It fills my day, and I feel good for doing it.”

Volunteer Mike Bindon added:

“When the sliding doors open when you walk in, the first thing you see is the reception. There is the smile. That makes your day. It’s all about a smile. Then you think, I’m going to have a good day. That’s what it’s all about.”

Gerry Molloy: Forever Part of the Hospice Family

The late volunteer Gerry Molloy, who passed away earlier this year was also recognized during the ceremony as ‘Senior Citizen Volunteer of the Year’. As part of our volunteering team, Gerry’s generous contribution to our care was kindly recognised during the ceremony, whereby his family members accepted the award on his behalf. 

Gerry was a warm and familiar face at Galway Hospice over the past fifteen years. He first became a volunteer following the passing of his beloved wife, Mary, who had received care from the hospice. Over the years, he has represented the hospice at countless cheque presentations in schools and businesses across Galway, delivered coffee packs to hosts across the city and county, been a friendly face at our Memorial Walk in Salthill, and much more. Pictured below are the family members who kindly accepted the award on his behalf. He will forever be remembered as a dear part of our family at Galway Hospice.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Honouring Volunteer Excellence

During the ceremony, Cllr. Keane also shared how his late mother, Elizabeth Lydon, received care from the hospice, thanking staff and volunteers for the support given:

“I can only say thanks on our behalf as a family for the comforts that you provided to us. What you all do is truly, truly commendable. You are blessed. It’s a God-given skill.”

The winners received a commemorative gift and a bursary of €500 to use towards their volunteering. All nominees were also presented with an individually designed Mayoral Certificate from the Mayor in recognition of their voluntary activity in community life across the city.

We would like to sincerely thank Galway City Council for this recognition, which is a testament to not only a high standard of volunteering at Galway Hospice, but a celebration of the meaningful and powerful relationships that volunteers build with our staff, our patients, and their families.

More than 160 volunteers generously give their time to support Galway Hospice services. They are an integral part of the Galway Hospice family, each bringing unique time, skills, and compassion. Volunteers play an essential role in providing the care and comfort that Galway Hospice offers to our patients, their families, and loved ones.