Westport farmer honoured by Concern Worldwide

A farmer from Westport is among a group of volunteers who have received awards for their outstanding commitment to the people supported by Irish humanitarian organisation, Concern Worldwide.

Shane Parsons (80) has been fundraising for Concern since the late 1970s, with his tractor a regular feature during the annual Christmas street and church gate collections.

Over that time he and local volunteers have raised an estimated €140,000.

“A lot of people associate me with the collection and the community treat me decently.

"I think I’ve done it quite well and I have a team that have stuck by me and helped out,” said Mr. Parsons.

He became involved in fundraising during the famine in Ethiopia in the 1980s, as he has an affiliation with the region after learning Italian from an Eritrean priest while living in Aden, Yemen.

“Developing world issues are where my heart lies, I would have a soft spot for the Eritrean and Ethiopian people,” he added.

Concern’s Chief Executive, Dominic MacSorley, praised the organisation’s 1,700 volunteers and all those who support them in their efforts.

“The extraordinary commitment of Concern volunteers has kept a flame of compassion alive in communities around Ireland,” he said.

“Their commitment has been integral in sustaining Irish people’s solidarity in action across the world’s hardest hit areas. We cannot thank them enough for their support, particularly at this most challenging time.’

Concern’s volunteer awards began in 2013 to celebrate the vital contribution made by the charity’s 1,700 volunteers in Ireland.

Many raise funds that enable the organisation to continue to alleviate poverty and hunger in the world’s poorest countries – which last year alone saw 28.6 million people reached in 24 countries.

Concern was formed by volunteers in 1968 as part of a major humanitarian response to the Biafran famine in Nigeria.