Two people jointly named Cork Persons of the Month for April 

TONY O’Donovan and William O’Brien have been jointly awarded Cork Persons of the Month for April.

Their dedication to empowering people with disabilities and enhancing the lives of children with additional needs has earned them the prestigious honour.

Mr O’Donovan’s advocacy for children on the autism spectrum is motivated by his son Kian, who is autistic. Each year on World Autism Day Mr O’Donovan holds a draw with the help of donated spot prizes from members of the Ballyphehane and Togher business community to raise vital funds to support this cause.

Through these fundraising efforts he has raised close to €60,000, which has funded the provision of crucial supports to special education units, schools, and classrooms.

“Tony’s commitment to supporting children with additional needs is truly inspiring,” said Cork Person of the Month Awards Organiser, Manus O’Callaghan.

“His dedication and compassion exemplify the spirit of community service that we celebrate with the Cork Person of the Month award.”

Meanwhile Mr O’Brien is celebrated for his pioneering work in founding the social enterprise See My Skills, dedicated to providing employment supports to people with disabilities.

Through initiatives such as the Accelerator Schools Programme, which recently commenced across 10 schools, See My Skills offers vital training in life and career skills, including goal setting, CV writing, and mock interviews.

“William’s dedication to the betterment of Cork, as exemplified through his leadership in See My Skills, goes far beyond business success,” said Mr O’Callaghan. “By addressing an area of critical need in Ireland, See My Skills acts as a beacon of hope and change in the Cork community.”

Both winners will be up for possible selection at the Cork Person of the Year annual Gala Awards lunch, which will be held in January 2025.