Having coped with Spina Bifida herself, Shirley joined Spina Bifida and Hydrocephauls Association in 1996 and has served as secretary, youth officer and sports co-ordinator and, with the help of others, started “Club 2000”. Members enjoy basketball, javelin, shot putt, discus and wheelchair activities and meet Thursday night in St Lawrence’s GFC with annual sports’ days and weekend trips organised. Despite having dialysis treatment three times a week, Shirley tries to make weekly meets with husband, Brendan attending in her absence.

In 1986, Shirley married Brendan and the couple have one son, Brendan Jnr. When her son was aged eight, Shirley reluctantly conceded to using a wheelchair but feels angry about the different way people treated her when she was ‘on wheels’.

“I found people addressed other family members when I was present eg. asking my son in a shop what I required. My legs gave way, not my mind….” She is hugely supportive of The Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association as she understands both the frustration of youth coping with disability and the concerns of anxious parents.

Frank Connolly, The Curragh

“Mr Curragh” would aptly describe this man; having lived in the Curragh since infancy, Frank has been a soldier for 32 years and served nine tours of duty overseas. His voluntary work included being treasurer of Curragh Community Council, establishing a boxing club, coaching children for the Community Games - in 1998, Frank trained three relay teams who went on to represent Kildare at Mosney.

Frank is chairperson and a member of the Board of Management of Curragh Pride Family Resource Centre which facilitates: Curragh Ladies, Spouses of Soldiers Overseas (SOS), Men’s Group, Art Buddies, Parents & Toddlers, Homework Club, Counselling Services, Family Fun Week, Newsletter, Further Education, CAKE and much more.

Somehow, he managed to find time to coach Moorefield U/12 team who won the South Board Kildare Football League Div 1 this year! Not surprisingly, Frank received a “Services to the Community” award by the General Officer Commanding the Curragh Camp earlier this year.

Roisin Malone, Milltown

Roisin Malone is synonymous with Saplings school for children with autism, having initially facilitated the school in her own home in Milltown before a site in Kill was donated and the school relocated there. A new centre of excellence in Naas costing n3m is Roisin’s and Saplings’ next target – fashion shows, sponsored cycles, concerts, bag packing – you name it and Milltown’s mega-mum will be there.

“Jumping Jelly Beans” which combines children from Foroige Club in Milltown becoming “Fitness Friends” with children of special needs, was set up in January by Roisin. This entails up to twelve youths, aged thirteen to sixteen years, giving up their time to assist with fitness for local youth with special needs.

“It has a two fold purpose – to integrate and make each group aware of the needs of their peers.