A BIRMINGHAM volunteer has been named a hero for her work helping the most vulnerable members of her local community during the coronavirus lockdown.
Tara McLean, of the Sean McDermott’s GAA club, became an O’Neills Sideline Heroes finalist for her efforts in helping others in the wider community in Birmingham during the Covid-19 outbreak.
She was nominated by her club when O’Neills put out a call on its social media channels to pay tribute to all those volunteers who have gone above and beyond in their efforts to help others feeling the pressure as a result of the global pandemic.
The Irish sportswear giant wanted to celebrate all those who showed true community spirit during the lockdown by checking in, delivering medicine or providing food or by keeping up the spirits of their underage members with online activities or video calls.
Hundreds of people were nominated on the O’Neills Sideline Heroes website, with inspiring stories of people all around the world assisting others less fortunate than themselves with practical help as well as emotional support.
Ms McLean was one of three runners-up in the global competition, who will now each receive a £150 voucher for O’Neills.
Her nomination praised her “unrelenting efforts to support others, mobilising club members with endless text messages, Facebook posts and tweets to donate food, clothing and funds to the Irish Association in Birmingham and then taking the time and effort to collect and transport the donations herself”, a representative for the O’Neills contest confirmed.
In a statement, the Sean McDermott’s club said: “Tara is team manager for the 13s, 15s and 17s, but her role doesn’t stop there.
“She provides constant support across all age groups, as mentor, first aider, committee member, kit washer, event organiser and more, seven days a week, every week of the year.”
They added: “At the start of lockdown, a small club committee was set up and Tara immediately went into action pulling together communications about support from club members to help the Birmingham Irish Association by donating and delivering food bags to a local venue.
“The impact from Tara has been our club community coming together so that food can go on the table for those who are getting through these strange times. She is an inspiration to many of our members and those across the wider GAA.
“Now we are on the road map to safe return to Gaelic sports, Tara, along with many others, has stepped up to become a Covid supervisors and again, she has embraced that role, giving clear communications on GAA e-learning and reminding us all to be safe.”
O’Neills Managing Director Kieran Kennedy added: “Congratulations to Tara and all the other finalists who are all worthy winners. The response to O’Neills Sideline Heroes campaign has been phenomenal, demonstrating just how dedicated sports club volunteers are to their communities and living out the O’Neills ‘One Team’ mantra where loyalty, flexibility, commitment and passion are paramount.”
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