A past board member and long-time volunteer with Meath Women’s Refuge & Support Services, Aidan Weldon, has been awarded the Go Purple ‘Community Champion Award 2024’. To mark Go Purple Day, Aidan Weldon was honoured by the organisation for his huge commitment to supporting women and children affected by domestic violence in Co. Meath over many years.  

Aidan, a native of Creewood, Slane, received the award in recognition of his tireless service to Meath Women’s Refuge & Support Services, as a board member and volunteer. Aidan was presented with the award and a gift hamper sponsored by Credit Union Plus by Cathaoirleach Cllr Tommy Reilly, Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee and Sinead Gogan, Chairperson, Meath Women’s Refuge & Support Services at a ceremony in Navan on May 3rd.

Sinead Gogan, Chairperson of Meath Women’s Refuge &Support Service, said:

"Aidan has given his free time and endless energy to supporting our work in countless ways over many years, as a board member and volunteer. Aidan never says no to an ask - big or small and nothing is ever a problem. He has a wide range of connections in the community in Meath and hashelped us build relationships, including our long-term partnership with Tara Mines. He has contributed huge efforts to fundraising for Meath Women’s Refuge and Support Service and encouraging others to support us. He is very persuasive and never gets daunted by the level of support needed -  his optimism isinfectious!   Before he retired from Tara Mines, Aidan organised volunteers to come and do a garden and playground clean up and carry out essential maintenance in the refuge building. Today we want to take this opportunity to celebrate Aidan’s volunteerism and his quiet humble way of supporting our work. We know he is very committed to supporting families affected by domestic violence and we hope he will continue to be involved into the future. ”

Aidan served as a volunteer director of Meath Women’s Refuge & Support Services from 2016 until 2020 and worked for Tara Mines before his retirement in December 2022. Aidan is also a volunteer with Niall Mellon Trust and has travelled several times to South Africa to build houses.

Last year, the inaugural Community Champion Award 2023 was presented to Superintendent Martina Noonan for her long-standing commitment to supporting families affected by domestic violence in Co. Meath.

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