MS Ireland is delighted to announce that Jerona Jackson from Louth, Elsie Ryan from Wicklow and Catherine Carey from Cork are our 2013 annual award winners. The three courageous and determined women won the judges over with their passion for life, selflessness and hard work on behalf of their families and local MS community.
Congratulations to the winners
MS Volunteer of the Year: Jerona Jackson
Over the years Ronnie has put the interests of others before her own needs. She regularly makes contact with people with MS in her own locality that are sad or lonely or feeling distressed by MS, Ronny gives them an emotional pick-up, she listens and gently encourages them to attend one of the support groups or link in to the regional office for help.
At a local level she has put so much time, energy and enthusiasm into getting the Louth Branch back on its feet both in terms of its fundraising and member involvement. She’s motivated and organised-Ronny more than any single individual has transformed the Louth Voluntary Branch into a vibrant and dynamic group of people.
MS Person of the Year: Elsie Ryan
Elsie was nominated by Mark Mitchell of the East Wicklow Branch. In his nomination Mark says,
Despite her MS Elsie is a doer. She always starts our flag days and sets up the expo stands, seals the collection buckets and always does the last shift which is usually on a Saturday evening from 7 till 9p.m. Elsie takes it all in her stride. That’s the type of person Elsie is.
Elsie is the Secretary of the East Wicklow Branch and is an Ambassador for the MS READaTHON. She brings her electric kettle into schools with its frayed cable and uses it as a prop to explain how MS affects people with their damaged myelin sheath!
MS Carer of the Year: Catherine Carey
Following her mother's death in 2009, Catherine became the sole carer for her father, Maurice. She devoted her time to caring for her father, ensuring that his wish to remain at home was fulfilled. Maurice had a very significant level of disability and needed assistance with all aspects of daily life. As her father condition worsened Catherine, her husband Mark and three children moved in with Maurice to ensure he was cared for around the clock.
Sadly since the nomination was made Maurice passed away. We would like to extend our sympathies to Catherine and her family.