A national competition to find Ireland’s Charity Hero was announced today by The Wheel and EBS Building Society.

 

The competition, part of the Better Together! campaign, aims to recognise individuals who have gone to extraordinary lengths to support a good cause in a voluntary capacity. Nominations can be made via Facebook at www.facebook.com/bettertogethercampaign. The winner will be decided through public voting, and a cash prize of €1,000 will be donated to the Charity Hero’s favourite cause.

 

Better Together! is a national campaign aimed at increasing community and voluntary activity by connecting people with charities, clubs and associations through social media. The campaign is being directed by The Wheel, a national umbrella body representing over 800 community and voluntary groups, in association with EBS Building society.

 

The public is invited to visit www.bettertogether.ie to view videos, connect with charities, clubs and associations in their area, and show their support by volunteering, donating or just getting involved.

 

“Ireland’s 19,000 charitable, community and voluntary groups depend heavily on public participation. This competition aims to recognise the contribution of those who go the extra mile to make a difference in their communities,” said Deirdre Garvey, Chief Executive of The Wheel.

 

Ireland’s Charity Hero will be announced at a ceremony in Dublin on 25 November. Details of the competition can be found at www.facebook.com/bettertogethercampaign.

 

Speaking today, Aidan Power, Head of Marketing, EBS Building Society, said: “At EBS we’re delighted to be partnering with The Wheel for the Better Together Campaign. Recognising the good work people are doing all around this country is very important and through this campaign people are given the opportunity to acknowledge the work others are doing in their communities and show them their appreciation. I’m looking forward to reading the nominations and would encourage everyone to get involved.”

For further information on the Better Together campaign visit www.bettertogether.ie. The closing date for entries is the 15th of November 2010.

 

 

Deirdre Garvey, CEO of The Wheel is available for interview. Please call Gert Ackermann on 086 176 9287, or email gert@wheel.ie.

 

The following organisations are partners of the Better Together! Campaign: Acquired Brain Injury Ireland, Barretstown, Business in the Community, Clann Credo, Cope Galway, the Disability Federation of Ireland, Dóchas, Focus Ireland, ICTR, Irish Hospice Foundation, Irish Rural Link, ISPCA, ISPCC, Macra Na Feirme, Mental Health Ireland, National Youth Council of Ireland, The Alzheimer Society, The Carmichael Centre for Voluntary Groups and Volunteer Centres Ireland.

 

The campaign is brought to you by EBS, and is supported by Intel, Today FM and The Irish Examiner.

 

The Wheel is the national support and representative body for community, voluntary and charitable organisations. It provides a wide range of information and support services, advice and training to individuals and organisations involved in community and voluntary activity. It is  also a representative organisation promoting both members’ and the wider sector’s shared interests: www.wheel.ie