'Extraordinarily generous' Naas volunteer honoured at meeting with President Higgins

A kind-hearted volunteer from Naas has been described as 'extraordinarily generous' by the charity Concern following her efforts in raising funds for the group.

Eva Walsh has been involved with the Naas Concern Group since the 1980s and later took over as co-ordinator from Mary McCarthy. She was honoured along with over 170 other volunteers at a special meeting with President Michael D. Higgins at a special 50th anniversary event at Áras an Uachtaráin earlier this week.

She is a key part of Concern’s fundraising in the Kildare area and continues to be the main organiser of local church gate collections.

Commenting at the event, Concern CEO Dominic MacSorley paid tribute to the incredible generosity of the Irish public, which has helped the organisation to reach many millions of people over the past 50 years.

“The response of the Irish public was phenomenal. Images of war and starvation broadcast into homes across Ireland tapped into the instinctual empathy and generosity of a nation and this is what has continued to sustain Concern over the past 50 years.”

President Higgins added that Concern has been “to the forefront of addressing the great issues of our time”.

“Through your work you crafted a vital bridge between the Irish people and some of the poorest people in our world. Thank you all those of you who have worked for and with Concern over the years for your compassion, your courage, and your dedication to supporting the lives and building the capacity of the poorest people of the world.”

Founded in 1968 in response to devastating famine in the breakaway state of Biafra in Nigeria, Concern now reaches over 26 million people in 26 of the world’s poorest countries.

From the beginning, a group of volunteers led by young Dublin couple John and Kay O’Loughlin Kennedy had a bold, inclusive vision that brought supporters from all backgrounds and all corners together.

Their efforts built on the legacy of the Irish missionaries and opened a new chapter of ambitious Irish humanitarian relief that was both compassionate and professional, supported by communities and volunteers from all over the country.

In the first year alone, they raised the equivalent of €4 million to send a ship-load of vital supplies to the starving population of Nigeria in what was the largest relief operation to ever come out of Ireland at the time.