Brian Gaynor

Samaritans Ireland, Dublin

Brian is a listening volunteer with Samaritans Dublin Branch and has had an enormous impact on the organisation. Last year he took on the role of Regional Call Distribution Officer in a voluntary capacity, where he oversees the smooth running of the 24 hour helpline service in the Republic of Ireland. In 2008 Samaritans Ireland received National Lottery funding to upgrade the infrastructure of the helpline to increase the capacity of the service. Brian has overseen this process by drawing strongly on his background as a telecommunications specialist. His personal charisma and charming, positive personality also galvanised even the most cynical businesspeople into supporting this project and realising its value to the community. The professional advice and skills he provided alone were worth thousands of pounds to the charity, and he continues to give a few hours a week as a listening volunteer on the helplines, helping to maintain the vital 24 hour availability of the Samaritans service. Often, the public image of a volunteer betrays the reality. Brian is a modern professional, a leader in his professional field and the father of a young family, and his decision to make the time to give something back via his professional expertise is the unexpected face of volunteering in Ireland today. Samaritans is a volunteer-led charity in the truest sense of the word and all of our volunteers are special, yet Brian’s contribution has been exceptional. Brian is an outstanding individual who bounces into a room, full of positive energy, good humour and expertise, for whom no challenge is insurmountable. Brian is a true example to us all.

“I’m delighted to be nominated for this award and I view it as a nomination for all the 2000 Samaritans volunteers across Ireland. I’d particularly like to thank Maggie Hayden, Anita Lawlor and Suzanne Costello for their vision, encouragement and cajoling with the Telephony replacement project; together with the branch directors and local support telephony support officers in each of our branches. Lastly and most importantly, I’d like to thank my wife Margaret for her support and acceptance of emails and phone calls at all times of the day and night!” – Brian

Photograph by Maureen McDonnell