THIS year’s Irish Post Awards will help support the work of two vital Irish charities.
Proceeds from the exclusive raffle at next week’s black tie event will go towards Mind Yourself and Barretstown.
London-based charity Mind Yourself works to improve the mental and physical well-being of Irish people in the capital. Based in Angel, Islington, it provides health-related information, advice and support.
Among the main support groups at Mind Yourself is one for unpaid carers, the LGBT community as well as a mental well-being group. The charity also provides a variety of activities from yoga to storytelling and meditation.
Mind Yourself Claire Barry said: “We’re delighted and honoured to be selected as a charity beneficiary of such a prestigious event. It is a vindication of the trust put in us by our members over the last two years, and the fantastic services and activities Mind Yourself volunteers and staff deliver every day.
"Any funds raised from the charity raffle will help us to continue our work to improve the mental and physical health of Irish people in London and we are grateful for this.”
The Irish Post Awards’ other chosen charity for 2014 is Barretstown, which is this year celebrating its 20th anniversary.
Barretstown is a specially-designed camp that provides therapeutic recreation programmes for children with serious illnesses and their families.
Founded in 1994 by Hollywood actor Paul Newman, the Co. Kildare-based centre was modelled on Newman’s renowned Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Connecticut.
Barretstown serves children affected by serious illnesses — primarily cancer and serious blood diseases — from Ireland, Britain and throughout Europe.
With just under a week to go before the 2014 Awards and Business Gala Dinner, community and charity groups are being invited to join in the celebrations at the October 23 event, hosted by Mr Eamonn Holmes.
This year’s event, which will see almost 700 people descend on the London Hilton on Park Lane, will honour five exceptional individuals in their respective industries.
A special community award will also be announced on the night.
This year’s Award winners include Mr Jonathan Rhys Meyers, who will receive this year’s Legend Award for his contribution to the film and entertainment industry.
Also being honoured on the night with an Award for Outstanding Contribution to Business in Britain is Mr Sean Mulryan, Chairman and Group Managing Director of Ballymore — an international property investment and development company.
This year’s Technology Award, a new addition to The Irish Post’s series of accolades, goes to Sir David McMurtry, Chairman of Renishaw Plc.
Designer Ms Louise Kennedy picks up a special gong for Company of the Year, while the Outstanding Sports Personality Award goes to Irish footballing legend Mr Liam Brady.
This year’s Awards are sponsored by AIB GB, The Color Company and media partner City AM.
Guests at this year’s Irish Post Awards will be treated to a champagne reception and a delicious four-course dinner followed by entertainment from The BibleCode Sundays.
The London-based six-piece band features frontman Ronan MacManus, accordionist Andy Nolan and drummer Carlton Hunt. The band released its first original album Ghosts of Our Pasts in 2007 to great critical acclaim both in Britain and North America.
A second Boots or No Boots followed a year later and included Maybe It’s Because I’m an Irish Londoner, which was subsequently adopted by English premiership rugby club London Irish RFC as the club’s official anthem.
With their growing popularity and adoption by both Celtic Football Club and London Irish RFC supporters, the band’s fanbase has grown to include Europe and the US with performances at major sporting events and stadiums including Celtic Park in Glasgow, Twickenham Rugby Stadium for Heineken Cup Finals and numerous music festivals including the world famous Glastonbury.
Their eagerly anticipated third album, New Hazardous Design, was released in November 2013. An exciting new album for 2015 now awaits featuring brand new songs written exclusively for the movie Black Mass, starring Johnny Depp and Kevin Bacon.
For further information contact Sarah Murphy on 020 8900 4159 or email sarah.murphy@http://http://irishpost.co.uk www.theirishpostawards.com
