Are you an outstanding youth volunteer? Do you care for an elderly neighbour or raise money for charity? Have you travelled to the developing world on a charitable mission? Do you volunteer in your local community? If so, we want to hear from you! The fifth annual Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards – the only programme of its kind on the island of Ireland was recently launched. All second-level students who volunteer in their community, at school or abroad are encouraged to apply. Pramerica Spirit of Community is sponsored by Donegal-based Pramerica Systems Ireland in partnership with the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) and the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI), ensuring that the programme reaches every school on the island. Post-primary students are invited to submit applications to their school principal by the 22nd of October 2010. 

Principals will review the applications and nominate one student in the junior category, aged up to 16, and one student in the senior category, aged 17 to 19, to represent their school. Nominations from each school must be submitted no later than the 12th of November 2010. 

In February 2011, 20 Finalists will be selected. Each will receive a certificate of merit, €500, an engraved silver medallion and an invitation to the Gala Awards dinner to be held in Galway on the 29th of March. Two All-Ireland Youth Volunteers of the Year will be selected at the awards dinner. Each will receive €1000 for a charity of their choice, a gold medallion and an all-expenses paid trip to the United States to attend the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards ceremony. 

The application form and further information on the Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards programme can be downloaded from www.pramerica.ie/spirit

The programme has honoured 75 outstanding students from 57 schools across Ireland since its inception in 2006.