Outgoing Mayor honours those who assisted Fingal’s COIVD-19 response
The outgoing Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Eoghan O’Brien, has honoured individuals and groups who assisted Fingal County Council through the COVID-19 Community Call Response Forum by presenting them with Certificates of Appreciation.
Cllr O’Brien, whose year-long term as Mayor ended last Friday, said that he wanted to finish his year in office by recognising the service that is being provided to the County and citizens of Fingal during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This year we faced a health emergency which was unprecedented in living memory,” said Cllr O'Brien. “It saw hundreds of thousands of people out of work, people cut off from their friends and family for months, many of us falling ill, and unfortunately many people dying from Covid-19.
“However, in this historic emergency, a tremendous effort was made to face the many challenges that the emergency created. I was incredibly impressed by how everyone came together immediately and how so many organisations and groups volunteered to help.”
He added: “Their sense of community was overwhelming. Their unswerving dedication was immense.”
From the outset of the Community Call Forum at the end March, 105 community partners registered to volunteer to deliver supports in their communities, alongside 55 groups registered with Fingal Public Partnership Network (PPN).
During April and May, the Community Call helpline received 436 calls. The majority were for delivery and collection requests while Social Isolation supports, Meals on Wheels requests, Garda queries and other health issues made up the rest of the calls that came into the Community Call helpline in that period.
“Volunteers and community groups across the county were called upon and they delivered. It was humbling to watch the mobilisation of hundreds of people across the county to assist those more vulnerable than themselves,” said Cllr O'Brien.
The outgoing Mayor also thanked all the Fingal County Council staff who played an enormous role over the past few months in co-ordinating the response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a video announcing his decision, he said:
“I was never as proud to be from Fingal, and it will be one of the abiding memories of my 12-month term as Mayor. You were called upon and you delivered. I am truly amazed and impressed by the work of the volunteer and I would like to thank you for your unwavering work, dedication and commitment over the recent months.
“You have helped and assisted so many people across Fingal over the past few months. The effort that was made by all those involved with the Fingal Covid-19 Community Call Forum was incredible and I could not have been prouder of all the work done for the people of Fingal.”
The video can be viewed at https://youtu.be/FQ3W5nqPQZg
Because of the COVID-19 restrictions it will not be possible for Fingal County Council to hold a formal ceremony to present the framed certificates so they will be distributed to the recipients in the coming weeks.
PHOTO: Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Eoghan O’Brien, signs the Certificates of Appreciation for those individuals and groups who assisted Fingal County Council through the COVID-19 Community Call Response Forum.