Tipperary volunteers and branch shortlisted for Irish Red Cross Volunteer of the Year Awards

Two of Tipperary’s Irish Red Cross volunteers and one Irish Red Cross branch have been shortlisted in the Irish Red Cross Volunteer of the Year Awards.

The Irish Red Cross National Volunteer Awards recognise the commitment, compassion and hard work of Irish Red Cross volunteers who generously give their time for the betterment of communities across Ireland.

READ MORE: Tipperary solar farm plans delayed as council deems major application invalid

These inspiring volunteers - who provide first aid at local community events, check on isolated or vulnerable people, help communities prepare and respond to severe weather episodes or provide therapeutic hand care to nursing home residents, to mention just some examples – will be celebrated at a ceremony in Croke Park on November 29.

Award winners of a number of categories will be announced during the event, including:

Volunteer of the Year;
Young Volunteer of the Year;
Community Support Volunteer of the Year;
Unit Member of the Year;
Instructor of the Year;
Branch of the Year;
Newcomer of the Year;
Lifetime Achievement Award;

The Tipperary nominees are:

Charles Stanley Smith – Shortlisted for Community Support Volunteer of the Year Award.

Charles Stanley Smith, the proactive Community Support Officer for the Irish Red Cross Nenagh Branch, has been shortlisted for the prestigious Community Support Volunteer of the Year Award.

Though a relatively recent member, joining in 2022, Charles has been described affectionately by the Irish Red Cross Migration Team as the "Irish Red Cross Superman" for his relentless dedication to supporting newly arrived displaced people across Ireland.

Charles’s commitment is deeply rooted in humanitarian action and the Red Cross Principles, particularly Impartiality and Humanity.

Over the past three years, he has proven to be an indispensable force, consistently stepping up without hesitation to assist in urgent transports, welfare checks, and community liaison.

Staff routinely rely on him, stating: “He’s the first we call, the first we go to.”

A key element of Charles's work is his support for the Ukrainian community in Nenagh and further afield.

He forged strong links with migrants and established the Welcome Cafe in Nenagh to provide a safe and welcoming service.

His generosity extended to pledging his own accommodation to the Red Cross for those fleeing the conflict.

His tireless efforts also involve supporting the Gaza Medevac Initiative, where he has provided transport and community support to evacuated families with the same exceptional warmth.

Beyond his official roles, Charles is a vital connector, bridging the work of the Red Cross staff, the local branch, and the community.

He also volunteers with local and national environmental and education organisations, demonstrating a lifelong passion for the betterment of people and planet.

READ MORE: Book sale to be held to raise funds to support causes in a Tipperary community

Con McNamara – Shortlisted for Lifetime Achievement Award 2025.

Con McNamara has been shortlisted for the Irish Red Cross Lifetime Achievement Award, recognising his extraordinary and continuous service of over five decades as a volunteer.

Since joining the newly reformed Branch in February 1973, Mr. McNamara has been a pillar of the Red Cross Movement, embodying its core principles through his roles as a first aider, ambulance and minibus driver, unit leader, and long-serving Branch Treasurer.

His dedication has touched countless lives across Co. Tipperary and Munster.

"Con McNamara is the epitome of an exemplary Red Cross volunteer," said Leonie O’Brien, Secretary of the Tipperary Town Branch.

"His cheerful outlook, unwavering commitment, and reliable service for fifty consecutive years are genuinely exceptional. To have been an active first aider and ambulance driver until the age of 81 speaks volumes about his character. He is our 'Premier' volunteer, and we believe his life's work is richly deserving of this Lifetime Achievement recognition."

Mr McNamara's record of public service includes:

-Five Decades of Active Duty: Con served as an active volunteer ambulance driver and first aider up until 2024, aged 81, having been continuously active since 1973.
-Community Lifeline: He attended thousands of events, including over 500 race meetings at Tipperary Racecourse since 1981, providing emergency cover and a calming, cheerful presence.
-Humanitarian Response: Mr. McNamara drove personnel and patrons to the 1979 Papal Ceremonies in Limerick and assisted in major Irish Red Cross migrant support efforts for the Vietnamese Boat people, Bosnian war refugees, and more recently, Ukrainian migrants.
-Leadership and Governance: He held key roles, including Unit Officer (1980–1982) and Branch Delegate to the Area Committee for two decades, currently serving as the meticulous Branch Treasurer.
-Dignified Transport: Up until last year, he regularly drove and transported stretcher-bound elderly patients from nursing homes to hospital appointments across Munster, a service defined by his unfailing courtesy.

Although recent health issues have seen him step back from driving and event cover, Con continues to serve as Branch Treasurer, maintaining his commitment to the Irish Red Cross. His sustained, reliable service with no interest in the limelight stands as a powerful testament to the voluntary spirit.

Nenagh Branch – Shortlisted for Branch of the Year

The Irish Red Cross Nenagh Branch has been shortlisted for the Irish Red Cross Branch of the Year Award 2025.

With over 20 years of service and 10 dedicated members, the Nenagh Branch has demonstrated exceptional commitment to community support, migrant integration and lifesaving training across Tipperary.

The branch's Community Support team regularly supports migrant communities in Nenagh and surrounding areas with transfers, logistics and essential assistance.

Community Support Officer Charles Stanley Smith established the Welcome Cafe to support and integrate various migrant communities in the greater Nenagh area, especially the Ukrainian community, creating a vital space for connection and support.

Nenagh Branch is actively organising and providing Community Cardiac First Responder courses in Nenagh and surrounding communities, delivering education and public awareness on CPR and defibrillator training.

The branch fully supports the local Defibs for Life group by providing CFR courses, empowering communities to respond to cardiac emergencies.

The branch has fully embraced the Ambolog app, utilising it to its full potential to maintain the ambulance, medications and equipment to the highest safety standards and best practices.

The Nenagh Unit provides first aid support to numerous events including Nenagh Olympic Athletics Track, local Ladies Gaelic Football Association matches, motor sports, music festivals and equestrian events.