(Copyright: The Cork) Pictured at the presentation l/r: Pat Lemasney, Southern; John O’Donovan; Mike Feely, Lehane Motors; Denis O’Donovan, Cork Person of the Month; Philip Healy, Southern; Ann-Marie O’Sullivan, AM O’Sullivan PR; Manus O’Callaghan, Awards Organiser. Pic Tony O’Connell Photography.
Denis O’ Donovan, who founded the Mercy Recycling Campaign to raise funds for a local cancer appeal, has been named ‘Cork Person of the Month’.
As The Cork reports, the Mercy Recycling Campaign “involves Denis and his son John collecting empty ink cartridges from businesses across Munster”. These cartridges are then recycled, and the proceeds from this process are donated to the Mercy Hospital Cancer Appeal. O’Donovan wanted to raise funds for the hospital because he was “so impressed” by the treatment his late wife received there. O’Donovan “has devoted all his retirement years to fundraising for the Mercy Hospital Cancer Care Centre”, and he also fundraises for other establishments, such as the Kerry Hospice and the Kerry Cancer Support Group.
To date, he has raised more than €120,000 for both Cork and Kerry Cancer Services, and through his Mercy Recycling Campaign, O’Donovan has managed to sign up more than 700 Munster-based companies “who supply him with empty ink cartridges.” In addition to the funds he has raised to support the cancer care facilities, he has also prevented 800,000 cartridges from going to landfill thus far.
At the award presentation, where he was named ‘Cork Person of the Month’, Denis said, “I got involved in fundraising because of Angela, so I had first-hand experience of the incredible care and attention received by cancer patients and I just wanted to give something back. I hope this award will further publicise the great work done for cancer patients, especially in Cork and Kerry”.
Manus O’Callaghan, Organiser of the ‘Cork Person of the Year’ Awards said, “The fundraising work that Denis has done for the Mercy Hospital and their cancer appeal has been incredible. The recycling appeal is unique and has been extremely successful in combining fundraising with helping the environment.
“Denis is truly an inspirational character who was motivated to help others because of the quality of care his late wife Angela received at the Mercy Hospital.”
As a result of this award, O’Donovan’s name will be put forward with those of other monthly winners for possible selection as ‘Cork Person of the Year 2017’, with the winner due to be announced at a Gala Awards lunch held in mid-January 2018.