Are you passionate?

Dublin, 25thJune 2007: Vodafone Ireland today joined with Irelands’ favourite DJ, Ian Dempsey to launch a nationwide search for those who display a Passion for the World Around Us.

Vodafone Ireland runs the Passion for the World Around Us awards in conjunction with eighteen Chambers throughout the country. The awards aim to recognise those individuals and businesses who make a difference in their communities and that go the extra mile to make their locality a better place for everyone.  A range of individuals are eligible for the award including carers, environmentalists, volunteers or those who simply demonstrate good citizenship through their actions.

Over the course of the 2007 campaign, a total of 54 individuals and businesses will be recognised by Vodafone Ireland and their local Chambers for their passion and commitment. Each recipient will receive a specially commissioned, handmade award, designed by Irish artist, Michelle Hannon and a certificate.

Following the announcement of the 54 winners, two national winners will be selected – one individual and one business – by a judging panel chaired by Ireland's best loved DJ, Ian Dempsey. Ian will be assisted in his deliberations by representatives from Vodafone Ireland and the Chambers. The overall awards will be presented at an event in Dublin in Spring 2008.

Speaking about the 2007 Passion for the World Around Us Awards, Olivia Dobbs, Vodafone Ireland said, "We are very excited about the new element of the awards this year which will see two overall winners selected by an expert judging panel. We are delighted to have Ian Dempsey on board as Ambassador for the Awards. With his engaging personality and passion for what he does, Ian is a great representative for the Awards. Vodafone Ireland is committed to corporate social responsibility and we believe that this is reflected in our Passion for the World Around Us Awards. We want to recognise the many unsung heroes who demonstrate this quality of commitment to their community."

"Since launching The Passion for the World Around Us scheme three years ago, we have had the pleasure of encountering some wonderful individuals and businesses from throughout the country. These people are the life-blood off every community and we are delighted to be able to recognise them in this small way," she concluded.

Ian Dempsey, Ambassador for the Awards said, "I am delighted to be involved in such a valuable initiative. Everyone of us knows an individual or business that goes that extra mile for their local community. These include the person who rises early on a Sunday morning to train the local football team or the person who fundraises for the local hospice. The Vodafone Passion awards recognise their work and dedication. If you know someone who is passionate about what they do and oftentimes go unrecognised, please nominate them for this worthwhile award."

About the Vodafone Passion for the World Around Us Awards:

The Vodafone Passion for the World Around Us Awards form part of Vodafone Ireland’s Corporate Responsibility (CR) programme. The awards are operated in partnership with various Chamber organisations throughout the country and have been in operation since 2003.
 
The aim of the awards is to recognise and reward individuals, groups and businesses who make an effort to improve their local communities and who have been successful in making a positive contribution to the world around them.  During the 2007 campaign, two individuals and one business from each Chamber area will be honoured through the scheme.   
 
Nominees for the awards have shown passion for the world around them in a number of ways, including by setting up environmental programmes, such as recycling or litter collections schemes; introducing or supporting educational or safety initiatives in their local area; participating in organisations and groups that assist and benefit members of the community; volunteering their time to help others in the community.

In total 18 Chamber organisations will take part this year, they are:

Bray and District Chamber
County Carlow Chamber
Carrick-on-Shannon Chamber
Castlebar Chamber
Cootehill Chamber
Clonmel Chamber
Cork Chamber
Dundalk Chamber
Ennis Chamber
Galway Chamber
Limerick Chamber
Navan Chamber
Newbridge Chamber
Sligo Chamber
South Dublin Chamber
Tralee Chamber
Waterford Chamber
Wexford Chamber

For further information, please contact:

Lorraine Lally
FD
01 6633631/ 087 1214073

Olivia Dobbs
Vodafone
087 2417731