Donegal woman Breege McDaid has been announced as a recipient of an Irish diaspora award for her outstanding community work in the UK.
Breege, a native of Buncrana, is the Director of Irish Community Care Merseyside (ICCM).
Breege has worked with ICCM since 1987, which now has 17 staff, and caters for people of Irish birth or descent, including Irish Travellers, across Merseyside, west Cheshire and Wigan.
Breege’s work in support of the Irish Community abroad has been recognised for the Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad for 2018. She is one of 10 people to win an award this year.
Breege has been praised as an inclusive community leader, whose positive outlook and mindful generosity inspires others and promotes deeper understanding and empathy towards vulnerable people in society.
Breege’s leadership of ICCM, her ability to collaborate with city partners and service providers, teamed with her tenacity to navigate systems to deliver opportunities to the poor, the vulnerable, the lost and the isolated, has benefited thousands and shows no signs of slowing.
In addition to the young Irish, many of their clients include elderly people long domiciled in Merseyside, who may be in poor health and socially isolated.
Help is provided with regard to jobseeking, benefits, housing, health, personal safety and many other issues affecting those of Irish background.
ICCM also co-operates with the “Safe Home” project, based in Mayo, which assists elderly Irish to return to live in their native land.
Breege’s reputation for diplomacy, advocacy and care is widely understood and appreciated in community, care and business circles in the city.
The Presidential Distinguished Service Awards will be presented today, 29th November by President Higgins.
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