Recognition for Offaly's wheelchair association founder

The founder of the Irish Wheelchair Association's Offaly branch has been nominated for a national award celebrating the contribution of volunteers. Sr Veronica Gilsenan is one of the three nominees in the 'health and disability' category of the Ireland Involved awards. Sister Veronica established the wheelchair association's branch in Tullamore 45 years ago, by helping a young boy who did not want to return to school in Dublin enrol in a local primary school. Now aged 91, Sister Veronica has been involved in organising the wheelchair association's social outings, holidays and Christmas parties for over 40 years. She regularly visits the disabled, often assisting them in obtaining their entitlements, while also attending to their physical well-being. In 1990, Sister Veronica organised fundraising activities to purchase a bus, which has since enabled disabled people to travel all over Ireland as well as to local social and community outings. Two years ago she almost lost her sight and since her recovery she has bravely continued her extraordinary work with the disabled. Reacting to her nomination for the award, Sr Veronica said: "I want to pay tribute to the tremendous work being done by so many voluntary charitable organisations. The beauty of it now is that all these are working together with the relevant statutory bodies for the good of all. I thank my community in Tullamore and my many colleagues and friends who supported me over the years." All 30 nominees for Ireland Involved awards will be honoured at a dinner hosted by the Taoiseach's Office in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin, on November 5. Overall winners in each of the ten categories will be announced at the event, and President Mary McAleese will also present the award for the Irish Volunteer of the Year 2009.