At our recent National Conference in Cork, we were delighted to name our 2026 Volunteers of the Year and recognise them for their outstanding commitment to supporting our work.
The Volunteer of the Year Award was introduced in 2016 as a small token of appreciation for the efforts of individuals and groups who support our work. The awards also highlight the importance of volunteering within our organisation. We are always spoiled for choice when it comes to selecting our Volunteers of the Year, showing just how fortunate we are to have such incredible volunteers across the country who are passionate about advancing our journey towards a society where no person's life is limited by epilepsy.
This year, we had not one, not two, but three recipients of our Volunteer of the Year Awards, further highlighting the extraordinary commitment of our volunteers. Their efforts have spanned awareness-raising, fundraising and research activities, demonstrating the many different ways people can support our work.
We were proud to name Cork woman Julia Duff as the first recipient of our award this year. Julia has been a longstanding media volunteer for Epilepsy Ireland, sharing her experience of living with epilepsy following her diagnosis as a teenager. Like many people living with epilepsy, Julia has experienced the many ups and downs that come with the condition, sharing her experiences both as someone who was seizure-free and later as someone who lost that freedom. No matter her circumstances, Julia has always been willing to share her story to help others learn and better understand epilepsy.
While Julia's awareness-raising activities have been hugely important, she was recognised particularly for her contribution to epilepsy research volunteering, work that often happens behind the scenes. Julia has participated in several research projects as a Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) contributor, sharing her lived experience to help shape and inform research. Most notably, Julia was involved in the EI-funded EpiKNOW project, which developed a range of resources for women with epilepsy. Drawing on her experiences from the pre-conception period through to the postpartum stage, Julia helped ensure the research reflected the real-life needs of women living with epilepsy. Julia continues to contribute to a number of epilepsy research projects, highlighting the importance and impact of Public and Patient Involvement in epilepsy research.
An example of Julia's efforts to raise awareness of epilepsy can be found by visiting the ‘Cork Beo’ website.
Our second Volunteer of the Year Award recognised a remarkable group of volunteers who have been inspired to support our work year after year because of one very special person.
Sophia Glennon lives with a refractory form of epilepsy and, since 2023, her family and friends, led by her cousin Andrea, have taken part in the VHI Women's Mini Marathon in support of our work.
Aptly named Team Sophia, they have brought a sea of blue and yellow EI t-shirts to the streets of Dublin each year, raising vital funds and increasing awareness of epilepsy at the same time. Their efforts have so far raised more than €20,000 to help support our work across Ireland.
We were delighted to have Sophia, Andrea and their families join us at our conference to receive their Volunteer of the Year Awards.
Finally, last but certainly not least, the final recipient of our Volunteer of the Year Award was Cork woman and Defence Forces Sergeant, Bernie Hart.
Bernie first became involved with Epilepsy Ireland following her daughter Áine's diagnosis with epilepsy at the age of eight. From the moment Bernie engaged with our services, she was determined to be an advocate for Epilepsy Ireland and epilepsy awareness, helping to pave the way for Áine, others living with epilepsy, and their families.
Whether sharing their story as part of fundraising campaigns, taking part in EI-supported initiatives such as My Moving Brain, or speaking publicly about their experiences through television and media interviews, Bernie has consistently championed greater understanding of epilepsy. She has become a powerful advocate not only for Áine, but for people living with epilepsy and the families who support them.
Bernie also spoke at our conference this year, providing a powerful and insightful contribution on her approach to supporting Áine on her epilepsy journey.
An example of Bernie's efforts to raise awareness of epilepsy can be found by visiting the ‘Irish Examiner’ website.
We would like to once again thank Julia, Team Sophia and Bernie, along with their families, for their enormous contributions to the work of Epilepsy Ireland and congratulate them once again on receiving these well-deserved awards.
As noted, we are truly spoiled at Epilepsy Ireland by the incredible volunteers we can call upon. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank every volunteer who supports our work. We cannot overstate how vital your contribution is or how much it is appreciated. It is only together that we can achieve a society where no person's life is limited by epilepsy, and we are confident that, with your continued support, our vision will become a reality in the years to come.
If you have been inspired by our Volunteers of the Year and would like to get involved in supporting our work, you can find out more by visiting the ‘Become a Media Volunteer’ page of our website and/or the ‘Fundraising’ section of our website. You can also look back at previous recipients of our Volunteer of the Year Awards by visiting the ‘Volunteers of the Year’ page of our website.
As always, if you need any information or support around your own or a loved one's epilepsy, please do not hesitate to get in touch with your local Community Resource Officer. You can find their details by visiting the 'Our Local Services' section of our website.