Campaigning and Activism Shortlist 2022

When Chloe Heaslip’s 18-year-old brother Eden took his own life after years of bullying, she was motivated, despite her grief, to prevent another family from experiencing the same pain.

Together with her brother and parents, Chloe set up ‘Be Buddies Not Bullies’ anti-bullying campaign. She works tirelessly to raise awareness for anti-bullying and campaigns for anti-bullying legalisation. She has met with several Senators, TD’s, Ministers, and An Taoiseach. Chloe is currently working on setting up a special helpline for people who are being bullied. She does radio interviews, and gives talks and presentations in schools, colleges, and universities. Her family also appeared on RTE Primetime to highlight the cause.

Philip Hulme started volunteering with SERVE in 2013 when he spent a month volunteering with their partners in South Africa. He assisted in building and setting up HIV clinics, using his nursing knowledge and skills to help people in the community.

Since then, Philip has been spreading the word about what SERVE does as a steering member of their SERVE@Home group.

“Philip has been instrumental in spreading information and awareness about SERVE to those in his community and his workplace,” says SERVE. “Our volunteers sharing their experiences with others is so important. We need to encourage each other to become global citizens.”

Philip volunteered at an ESC-funded project last year where SERVE created a Global Goals trail in Blackrock. Co. Cork. He spent time building birdhouses from repurposed materials, which were then painted by young people from the Cork Life Centre. Philip also helped out during SERVE’s annual 4 Peaks Challenge, where they climb the highest peak in each of the four provinces over one weekend to raise money for their overseas projects.

“We are incredibly grateful for his continued work and commitment to SERVE,” says SERVE. “Without volunteers like Philip, we wouldn’t be able to continue the work we do.”

Bertie O’hAinmhire is passionate about campaigning for human rights. He’s a campaigns and activism volunteer for Trócaire, an activist for the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC). and a member of the board of Sadaka. Tá Bertie ina chónaí sa Ghaeltacht i gConamara, áit a labhraítear Gaeilge mar theanga an phobail. Tá go leor oibre déanta aige ina phobal féin chun cultúr agus teanga na háite a chosaint agus a chur chun cinn. (Bertie lives in the Gaeltacht in Conamara where Irish is the spoken language of the Community.  He has done a large amount of work in his local Community to protect and promote the culture and language of the area.)

“Volunteering enables me to do good, to use whatever skill sets I have to connect with and help others,” Bertie says. “It gives me a sense of pride to assist with causes that I’m passionate about. A well-known seanfhocal or old Irish saying comes to mind, ‘Maireann croí éadrom i bhfad’  – a light heart lives long.”

Bertie contacts local TDs and ministers on Trócaire’s campaigns and on Palestinian issues on behalf of Sadaka. He campaigned for the Occupied Territories Bill, which was voted in at Dáil Eireann. He also campaigned for the motion that condemned Israel’s ‘de facto annexation’ of Palestinian territory as a violation of the fundamental principle of international law, passed unanimously in the Dáil.

Bertie has been involved in Trócaire’s work in schools as well and has introduced Trócaire to the Gaeltacht by translating its materials into Irish.

“All the Trócaire volunteers respect and admire him for his passion and his commitment to the cause. He drives other people to do more,” says Trócaire.

“In 2022, Bertie’s biggest project was to translate Trócaire’s ‘Face of Resistance’ exhibition into Irish and get it exhibited in the Gaeltacht. This was a huge task for him and a great success.

“We’re always impressed at the amount of work that Bertie does for Trócaire but it’s nothing compared to the countless hours he spends for Sadaka in meetings, writing parliamentary questions, and more. He also helps organise events and social media for IPSC, and does a lot for his local schools and parish [he is the Chair of the Board of his local school in Ros a’ Mhíl in the Connemara Gaeltacht].

“His passion and dedication are obvious, and that’s what drives him to do so much for so many people. His generous nature pushes him to do all he can to help.”