Laois Community & Voluntary Awards Junior Volunteer 2025 profiles

A young person in Laois who has made an outstanding contribution to their community will be honoured at the Laois Community and Voluntary Awards 2025.

This award is sponsored by Laois Volunteer Centre, a registered charity set up in 2021, to promote volunteerism in Co. Laois. It matches members of the public with suitable volunteering opportunities and helps not-for-profits with volunteer role development, recruitment, etc.

The award will be presented at a gala reception in the Midlands Park Hotel in Portlaoise on Friday, November 21.

This is the 16th year of the awards, and they are hosted again by Laois County Council in association with Laois Public Participation Network and sponsored by People First Credit Union, Laois Sports Partnership, Laois Partnership, Laois Volunteer Centre.

The Leinster Express / Laois Live is the Media Partner.

Here are the full profiles of the nominees in the Junior Volunteer category:

Shauna O’Neill
Shauna volunteers weekly at a sensory play group in Portarlington for neurodivergent children aged 8–12. Despite having finished school, she dedicates her Saturdays to creating a safe, joyful space where kids can engage in messy, creative play—making sensory balloons, colouring rice, and more. Her warmth and positivity help children who rarely leave home feel included and confident. Shauna’s selfless commitment, cheerful presence, and ability to connect deeply with the kids make her a powerful role model and ambassador for youth. Her efforts are helping build a more inclusive community for children of all abilities.

David Shortall
David volunteers as a youth leader for the Junior Youth club in Portlaoise. He offers guidance, support and encouragement to younger members of the group. His outstanding commitment, dedication and positive impact on his community are obvious, and he goes above and beyond to help others. David brings consistent reliability, enthusiasm and genuine care to his volunteer work, making him an exceptional youth leader. His ability to work well with people and to include everyone is remarkable and he is a much-valued and appreciated volunteer with his community.

Lily O’Connor
Lily is an inspiring young volunteer with the Portlaoise FRC Senior Youth Group, dedicating her time weekly as a Youth Leader for the Junior Youth Club. She supports younger children with patience, creativity, and care, helping them feel safe and confident. Lily also volunteers at major community events like Cruinniú na nÓg and Summer Projects, ensuring activities are inclusive and fun. Her leadership and teamwork shone during a survival workshop in Derryounce, where she embraced challenges and shared her skills. Lily’s reliability, kindness, and enthusiasm make her a positive role model and a deserving nominee for Junior Volunteer of the Year.

Saoirse Oxley
Saoirse has been a dedicated volunteer with Relay for Life Laois since its inception. Her commitment to the Irish Cancer Society fundraiser is unwavering, contributing months in advance and throughout the event weekend. During a particularly emotional Relay, she supported a grieving group by selling tickets, sharing her personal experience of loss, and lifting spirits. Her efforts helped raise €1,000 for her team and contributed to the overall €40,694 total. Saoirse also coaches young girls with Mountmellick United, showing her compassion and leadership across all areas of life. MORE BELOW PHOTO

2023 Junior Volunteer Winner Callum Byrne and Runner Up Aaron Jacob with Catriona Ryan, Laois Volunteer Centre. Photo: Denis Byrne

Mariia Yabanzhy
Mariia, just 12 years old, has become a vital member of Rosenallis Tidy Towns, never missing a cleanup and enthusiastically taking on tasks like litter picking, planting, and painting. Her most impactful role is as a translator between English and Ukrainian, enabling clear communication and unity within the group. Mariia’s warmth, humour, and kindness have helped build strong relationships between locals and Ukrainian families, fostering inclusion and community spirit. Her energy has inspired up to fifteen new volunteers to join. Mariia’s positivity and leadership shine, making her a cherished and transformative presence in the village.

READ ALSO: All the Laois Community and Voluntary Awards category nominees 

Luke Daly, Cillian Lyons, Connor O’Carroll
Luke Daly, Cillian Lyons, and Connor O'Carroll from Mountmellick Community School have shown outstanding dedication through their work with the local Tidy Towns committee. Volunteering their Saturday mornings throughout the year, they contributed to litter-picking, planting, and town improvements, demonstrating strong community spirit and responsibility. Their consistency, teamwork, and enthusiasm have enhanced the town’s appearance and strengthened its community ethos. These students are excellent role models, proving the lasting impact young people can have when they engage with local initiatives.

Ailíse Dowling McDonald
Ailíse Dowling McDonald is a dedicated volunteer with Spink Comhaltas, giving her time every Friday evening to support young traditional Irish musicians. Starting as a student, she quickly grew into a mentoring role, now offering flute tuition to under-twelves and assisting with group sessions. Her consistent, unpaid support helps the branch run smoothly and ensures all children feel welcomed and encouraged. Ailíse’s quiet leadership, reliability, and kindness make her a role model for younger musicians. Her involvement strengthens local heritage, builds community bonds, and highlights Laois’s cultural richness at county and regional events. She truly embodies the spirit of volunteerism.

READ ALSO: Unsung Hero awards in profile

Snizhana Anna Rauth
Snizhana is a passionate youth leader whose work with Youth Work Ireland in Portlaoise has empowered both local and Ukrainian communities. She translated workshops, supported arts initiatives, and advocated for youth needs through the Laois Youth Parliament and County Council meetings. Her poem, published in The Irish Times, highlighted refugee experiences, while her academic excellence earned her a place at Trinity College. Snizhana also helped organize youth events like Electric Picnic and trained rural youth workers through the Powered by Youth programme. Her creativity, leadership, and compassion make her a powerful agent of change and a role model for young people.