Mayo Young Sports Stars: Volunteer of the Year gave up a lot of time for his club

Tuan O'Hora volunteered to help with Conn Rangers FC's Football for All programme, giving up his time every Saturday to come and help out – not something that every young Leaving Cert student would do.

The programme involved a group of Special Needs children, all with varying abilities and disabilities, and Tuan's care and compassion for each child was exemplary.

His ability to read each child and adapt the programme to suit them was fantastic. A lot of these children would have never played soccer on the pitch before and it gave them a great opportunity to be included.

Tuan created a special bond with each of them and they are all so looking forward to the next season. Some of the players started off watching from the car yet slowly but surely Tuan coaxed them out. He organised a little presentation and celebration at the end of the programme, and the pictures taken afterwards show the absolute delight he brought to the children, all of them receiving a little trophy – some for the first time in their lives.

The community is blessed to have a volunteer like him.

Our Volunteer of the Year will receive his award at The Connaught Telegraph Young Sports Stars of the Year ceremony in Breaffy House Resort tomorrow evening (Friday).