A DIRECTOR of an outreach charity that helps people in London has become the first woman to be named the London Kerry Person of the Year.
Shelagh O’Connor is a director of the New Horizon Youth Project in London’s Kings Cross area where she helps young Londoners of all nationalities who find themselves in challenging circumstances.
The Co. Kerry woman, who originally hails from Kilmanihan in the parish of Brosna, said that she was "really honoured to be offered this award, especially as I am the first woman to be selected by the Kerry Association".
She will be presented with the 2014 award at the association’s annual dinner dance at the Crown Moran Hotel in Cricklewood on October 18
This year’s person of the year, GAA stalwart Pat Griffin from Lispole, will present the award.
The New Horizon Youth Project helps young people, up to the age of 25, who might have found themselves homeless or unemployed as they struggle to adapt to life in the capital.
Initially, O’Connor was a fundraiser for the project, and later became a director in 2000.
She has since helped steer 1000s of youngsters away from a life of drugs and alcohol abuse, street crime and prostitution.
O’Connor was also shortlisted for the Hibernian Heroes Award, an award initiated by The Irish Post last year that recognises the great charitable work Irish people do in Britain.
