Bridget Delaney of the Killarney Cardiac Response Unit has been unveiled as the MACE Unsung Heroes Overall Community Award winner in recognition of the support for the National Ambulance Service in Killarney in responding to calls relating to heart attacks, cardiac arrests, choking and stroke.

The MACE Unsung Heroes Overall Community Award is reserved for a person or team who do truly remarkable things for the betterment of their community.

The nationwide MACE Unsung Heroes Community Awards were initially launched in 2020 by Ireland rugby star Johnny Sexton to stimulate community spirit. Following its remarkable success MACE was excited to go to the country once again this year and ask communities to nominate that special someone who goes the extra mile to make a difference, so they get the recognition they deserve.

Bridget Delaney is one of the members who was nominated for a MACE Unsung Heroes award and has been a volunteer with the responders group since it first started in 2015. She has been involved in many roles including training, treasurer, assisting other schemes but all this is secondary to the volume of calls and the dedication she and the team have given to the community and given assistance to those in need no matter what time day or night.

“I want to congratulate Bridget and all those in Killarney Cardiac Response Unit for the heroic work they do. It must be a great source of relief to those in Killarney knowing that this group of dedicated volunteers are there looking after them and looking out for them. I also want to congratulate Juliette, Eileen and the team in MACE Kilgarvan for their being presented with the MACE Store Team Award," said MACE Sales Director Peter Dwan.

In total, MACE presented five category Unsung Heroes Community awards with each individual category winner being rewarded with cheques for €1,000. Each winner was contacted personally by Johnny Sexton to inform them of their win.

As the overall MACE Unsung Heroes Community Award winner, Bridget of the Killarney Cardiac Response Unit was presented with a cheque for €5,000.