Pieta House, the Hope Foundation and Vodafone’s World of Difference programme have all been honoured at the Philanthropist of the Year awards.
John Concannon has been named National Philanthropist of the Year for his work with Pieta House, which operates a suicide and self-harm crisis service. It has three facilities in Dublin and one in Limerick and has helped 4,000 people since it opened in 2006.
“Giving your time is real philanthropy,” Mr Concannon said. “Many people have more time in recent years . . . and are donating that time.”
He is managing director of JFC Manufacturing and became involved with Pieta House after featuring on RTÉ’s Secret Millionaire TV programme in 2011.
Mairéad Sorensen has been awarded International Philanthropist of the Year for her work with the Hope Foundation, which works with street children in Kolkata, India.
Vodafone Ireland is Corporate Philanthropist of the Year for its World of Difference programme. This provides annual funding for four people to leave their jobs for a year to work with a charity.