Gina Grant from Letterkenny (centre), the Donegal 2013 Carer of the Year.
FOLLOWING an unprecedented number of applications for the 2013 Carers of the Year, The Carers Association is delighted to announce Letterkenny’s Gina Grant as Donegal’s Carer of the Year 2013. Gina is the mother of six children, two of whom have special needs.
She provides the highest level of care possible to Christopher (6) who has Downs Syndrome and Francis (4) has a rare mitochondrial progressive disease. Gina was presented with her award at a special ceremony that took place this morning (Thursday), October 31, in the Clanree Hotel, Letterkenny.
Gina was nominated by her good friend Aishling Nibbs who worked with her on the Let Me Be Me Campaign to retain the Ballaghderg Special Needs National School in Letterkenny and St Agnes’ Special Needs National School in Donegal town.
Gina is very well-known in the county, especially with families who have children with special needs. She is also the secretary of the Donegal Down Syndrome Association.
The Carers of the Year Awards and Young Carer of the Year Award 2013, sponsored by Tunstall Emergency Response, celebrates the contribution of family carers across Ireland. Family carers provide high levels of care in the home to their loved ones, including older people, those terminally ill and with disabilities.
All entries will receive a commemorative certificate and 2013 Donegal of the Year 2013 Gina Grant will now attend a special ceremony which will be held in Dublin on November 5th honouring award recipients from across the country. One family carer will be chosen as Ireland’s Carer of the Year 2013 and the Young Carer of the Year 2013 will also be presented. The awards ceremony will be hosted by broadcasters and patrons of The Carers Association Mary Kennedy and Marty Whelan.
“The Carers of the Year Awards acknowledge the dedication and commitment of the work which family carers carry out throughout Donegal and Ireland. We are delighted to present the local Carer of the Year Award to Gina Grant.
“Family caring is a labour of love and following a tough year of cutbacks it has never been more important to recognise the contribution of family carers. This is an opportunity to celebrate carers and their dedication to their loved ones” said Catherine Cox, The Carers Association.
The annual awards recognise the dedication and enormous contribution of over 7,000 family carers throughout Donegal.
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