As our training year gets underway again, Why not keep up to date with our activities.
Check out our Facebook Page for recent updates :)
https://www.facebook.com/ballinoraballincolligredcross/
End of year celebrations
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| Some of the awards achieved by our group |
On the 6th of July, our branch acknowledged the achievements of the unit and it's members for the first half of 2016. This included a new EMT, a new EFR, New bike unit consisting of 2 bikes, 1st place in the All Ireland Bicycle competition, a Ballinora person of the year award along with a national volunteer of the year award. Well done to all our members who make such a great contribution to our branch.
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| Our Unit members enjoy a night of celebration. |
Accident Simulation
Ballinora/Ballincollig Red Cross carried out an accident simulation in Ballinora at the Community Weekend. Well done to our members and thanks to the Cork City Fire Service for their assistance in this. Check out the Video above to see some of the highlights
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| Ballinora/Ballincollig Red Cross in conjunction with the Cork City Fire service carry out an accident simulation. |
Successful and Busy weekend for our branch
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| Denis, Jacqui, Eileen, Mary, Gemma,Imelda, Aileen and Marie at the Community Day held in Ballinora |
This weekend saw a massive fleet of our members engaging in Red Cross Duties of all varieties.
Firstly, on Saturday we covered a Féile game in Ballinora.
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| Féile Duty at Ballinora GAA pitch |
This was followed by our Bike unit covering the launch of the prestigious Ballinora Waterfall Heritage Trail. This new trail launched in Ballinora sees the historical sites denoted by plaques around the locality. A map of all these routes can be found and followed here.
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| Ballinora/Ballincollig Red Cross Bike Unit is proving to be a huge success at various events. |
Following on from Saturday's activities, Sunday was also a very eventful day for all our members from various units. At Ballinora Community Day, our branch was visible in a variety of capacities. Our Ambulance and bike unit covered the local community day. A stand was set up displaying our work and the work of the local CFR group. Well Done to Imelda O' Connor for this. In addition to this our Hand Care team provided much welcomed hand massage to anyone who wished to avail of the service.
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| Hand Care Team on duty |
With all this going on, also on Sunday afternoon at the community event, a accident was simulated for all present to see. This was done in conjunction with the Cork City Fire Service. Our Senior Unit members along with the Fire Brigade demonstrated a car accident and what is involved in safely removing a casualty from a car following a road traffic collision. Well done and thanks to everyone. Check out some footage on our Facebook Page.
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| Accident Simulation Display |
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| Marie, Eileen, Gillian and Imelda on duty at the Ballinora Community Day. |
Carer of the Year Nominations open
Do you know someone who gives their time to care for others?
Why not nominate them for the Irish Red Cross Carer of the Year Award.
Check out www.redcross.ie/carer2016 for more information or Call 01 6424600
The one and only Marie McSweeney
Within our branch we are very lucky with our fantastic
members. Many of our members hold various positions within the Irish Irish Red
Cross.
One special member Marie McSweeney was recently honoured at
the national Volunteer awards in Dublin owing her caring and unique
contribution to the Irish Red Cross. Marie, has been a stalwart of
Ballinora/Ballincollig Irish Red Cross for many years. With countless hours
dedicated to Irish Red Cross at various levels Marie was recently announced
nationally as the Health and Social Care Volunteer of the year. This award was
presented to Marie for her outstanding time, dedication and commitment to the Irish
Red Cross Movement.
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| Marie McSweeney with members of the Cork Area at the recen awards ceremony which took place in Dublin |
As the Cork Area Health and Social Care officer, Marie has
been involved in various initiatives on a local and national level. Marie
trained as one of the first skin camouflage practitioners in the Irish Irish
Red Cross and continues to provide this service which is an exemplary example
and has also been used as a blue print for others. Marie is also a founding
member and co-ordinator of the local CFR group in the Ballinora area. Massive
credit is due to Marie as these endeavours have made a huge difference in the
lives of so many people across Ireland.
Following a talk on the 16th of June which Marie
gave to the Ladies of the Active retirement group in Turners Cross, Marie
promoted the work of the Irish Irish Red Cross Health and Social care
activities across so many branches.
The Health and social care services that are provided by the
Irish Red Cross include the following:
- The Therapeutic hand care service which Marie describes as ‘unique to the Irish Red Cross as Volunteers are trained to give hand massage and manicures to clients in the Day care centres, nursing homes and community hospitals’. While this is a service provided by the team, Marie also promotes this as ‘a wonderful way for communicating with all ages especially the elderly’. This works in a two way system – massage of hands and talking to the people. Marie proudly states ‘time spent with the clients/patients can often be the most valuable aspect of the service.’
- The Health and social care team also provide a skin camouflage service which is the application of special cover creams to improve the appearance of scarring and other disfiguring skin conditions. Clinics are held on a monthly basis and all details are available from Irish Red Cross HQ and local practitioners.
While these are the two main services that this team
provide, Marie McSweeney also promotes the carer of the year award, is involved
in senior citizens outings, assists with the resilience fund to help in times
of flooding and will be involved in the assistance to migrants coming to
Ireland. Alongside these national initiatives, on a local level Marie plays a
massive role in Ballinora/Ballincollig branch of the Irish Irish Red Cross
while training on a weekly basis and providing cover at duties in such a
professional manner.
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| Marie McSweeney receiving her award from the Health and Social care volunteer of the year |
Ballinora/Ballincollig Irish Red Cross are very proud to
have Marie as a member of our branch. She is a credit to herself, her family
and the Irish Red Cross while being a role model to many within the
organisation. Marie captures the true essence of being a Irish Red Cross
Volunteer – whatever is required – attend a duty, do a church gate collection,
assist in training, Marie has obliged willingly, professionally and ensures
everyone is cared for. For her manner, commitment and determination
Ballinora/Ballincollig Irish Red Cross are more than proud and privileged to
have Marie as a member of our branch. Her motivation and selfless devotion to
all her activities as health and social care officer is motivated purely by her caring nature to
help others.
Well done and Congratulations to Marie on being award the
health and social care volunteer of the year, we wish you all the best in your
future endeavours.
Ballinora Community Weekend 2016
Why not support the Ballinora Community Weekend happening on the 25th and 26th of June.
Great fun and something for all the family assured.
Our Branch of the Red Cross are even carrying out a Red Cross Simulation
display on Sunday.
Check out the details below
Well Done :)
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| Imelda O' Connor presenting Denis with his Trophy |
Well done to branch member Denis on receiving the trophy for winning trainer. Denis received this in recognition of the time, hard work and dedication he gave to our bike team in preparation for the recent competition. Well Done and Thanks to Denis for his work.
Irish Red Cross Volunteer Awards
Congrats and Well Done to Ballinora/Ballincollig branch member Marie McSweeney who has been announced as the Health and Social Care Volunteer of the year.
This is a well deserved award for Marie in recognition of all her hard work.
Well done also to Cork Area that have been awarded area of the year.
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| Marie McSweeney pictured with members of the Cork Area |
CONGRATULATIONS
A massive congratulations this evening to our Senior Bike Unit who have been awarded first place at the All-Ireland competitions. Well done to Eileen and Geraldine and thanks to everyone who assisted in their training especially Imelda O' Connor and Denis Dineen.
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| Geraldine and Eileen pictured with their well deserved silverware along with Driver Eddie Fitzgerald and trainer Imelda O' Connor |
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| Eileen, Geraldine, Imelda, Eddie and Kevin Brennan from the Mallow branch of the Red Cross. |
Senior Bike Competition
Great training session for our bike team this weekend. They are representing Cork South West at the All Ireland Senior bicycle competition next weekend.
Thank you to all our unit members who have assisted in training and also to the team trainers.
Best of Luck
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| Floor tests in action during training this weekend. |
News Bulletin
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| Pat and Imelda O' Connor receive the Ballinora People of the year award with their family from Fr Mansfield |
Ballinora/Ballincollig branch of the red cross would like to
extend their most sincere congratulations to members, Pat and Imelda O Connor
on recently receiving the Ballinora people of the year award. Pat and Imelda
are highly deserving of this award and its an honour for our members to be
awarded in such a fantastic initiative. Thanks to Imelda and Pat for all their
exceptional work and contribution, not only to our own branch but also to the
Irish Red Cross on a larger scale.
Upcoming events in our branch include a hand care training
day which will be run by Marie McSweeney on the 28th of May. If
anybody interested (Male of Female) please contact Marie on 087-6537347 for
further information.
Recently our community CFR group received a grant from the
Cork County council. This is fasntastic and will be used towards some of the
cost of replacement batteries for the AED’s that are located around our area.
Our training continues weekly on Wednesday nights.
Keep up
to date with all our activities on our blog page http://ballinoraballincolligredcross.blogspot.ie/.
Should you require first aid cover for any event, please contact
Ballinora/Ballincollig Red cross on 087-9276518
Bike Unit
St Patrick's Day was an exciting one for our branch, our new bike unit had their first outing at the Ballincollig St Patrick's Day parade. Denis Dineen and Gillian Beasley were part of the crew on the day and the bikes proved to be hugely successful.
Contact us on 087-9276518 if you would like our bike unit to cover your events.
Community Garda Presentation
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| Garda Liam Linhan speaking to our branch on road safety |
On the 2nd of March, Ballincollig Community Garda Liam Linehan visited
the branch and gave a very interesting talk on Road Safety with a particular
emphasis on safety while cycling on public roads. Garda Linehan gave us a great
insight into the safety aspects of cyclists with many very useful tips
regarding our visibility and the rules of the road as a cyclist. This much welcomed talk was in
advance of our new bike initiative to be launched within our branch soon. Watch
this space for further information.
Comhghairdeas
Congratulations to Katie O' Riordan and Barry O' Sullivan who were recently appointed assistant unit officers for the cadet and senior unit respectively
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| Barry O' Sullivan is appointed assistant senior unit officer |
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| Katie O' Riordan is appointed assistant cadet unit officer of our branch |
Congratulations
Congratulations to our newest Emergency First Responder Denis Dineen. All the hard work paid off.
Well Done :)
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| Denis receiving his Certificate and badge from unit officer Aileen Murphy |
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