Ray Kelly
Unmarried and Separated Families of Ireland, Dublin
Ray is the founder of USFI and is dedicated to supporting unmarried and separated families in Ireland. He campaigns tirelessly for gender equality and children’s rights within the family law courts, and gives support to parents experiencing difficulty and separation from family life. His work has helped thousands of Irish fathers to keep in contact with their children in the face of adversity, through constant and dedicated support. For over 15 years he has worked without any payment and following several years of campaigning for funding, he has built the organisation from his home in Tallaght to opening the first and only centre that runs an open support group for separated parents. The USFI is a non-profit organisation dedicated to fighting for justice for children and their parents in the family law courts. Ray has also taken test cases to the High Court to gain recognition for the unmarried father in Irish society, as well as organising countless peaceful protests around the country to help highlight his campaign. He is always available to people who need his kind support and is a beacon of hope and strength to many.
“I have been working with the USFI for the last 16 years and in that time I have met a lot of people. I would like to thank all of them but most of all I would like to thank my three kids who have made my life better and so complete, Alan, Elizabeth and Grace- All my love, Dad” – Ray
Photograph by Maureen McDonnell
Ray works morning, noon and night to support so many families neglected by our legal system. He goes out of his way to advise and guide people through the toughest times of their lives. There are countless families out there whose loves have been vastly improved thanks to Ray. Children, parents and grandparents all come to see him and get more help than they could ever dream of elsewhere. He knows things could be so much better for our kids and for the people that love them.
Ray deserves to win
Ray offered me first class advice during my seperation,he is always available to help and lend a friendly ear. I have often helped out at the offices of USFI and have been amazed at the dedication Ray puts into an invaluable service,he works tirelessly for a cause he truly believes in. There are not many people who would continue to provide the help and support such as this without payment,this goes to show the commitment Ray has in helping families through what can be very harrowing and painful times. A worthy winner of this award.
Well done Ray, keep up the great work
Just to second, third or whatever is required for Ray Kelly to recieve the award . Ray met me and immedately recognised I needed help and guidance .He brought me back from the edge and in doing so also helped two beautiful children be with their father.Something I am working on right now thanks directly to Ray and the people I met through Knowing Ray. Ray kelly deserves this and more I only wish there were more upstanding,involved, caring and committed people out there.
thanks Ray from My daughter Sherry, my son Brendan.T.and myself, good luck you are a diamond.
Brendan O’Regan. Limerick
I have known and worked with Ray for 14 years, he has been my support, punchball, and guideing hand over those years. Despite every upset and personnel difficulties he is and has always been only a telephone call away.
He was there during my darkest hours, a listening ear, who again and again lifted me when all seemed lost.
Thanks Ray
I would like to add my support for Ray Kelly and all the work he has done on his own for so many years for our kids and unmarried fathers and I would like to add that I wish people would wake up and get in there with Ray. He is not a machine and has limits that he has passed many times.
Stop been selfish!
Regards
J Parles
hello i recently had the pleasure to meet ray unfortunately it wasn’t a happy occasion that i found myself in,but ray put me at ease straight away and he managed to well at least for the time i was in his company managed to give me hope.he talks to to you and explains things in lay mans terms.he also is very decisive in his answers.so go on ray you deserve it.liam
Ray Kelly is one of a kind. His work in this area has helped many children to have a good and active relationship with both their Mum’s and Dad’s.
I only learned about Ray Kelly and USFI in October 2008,when my own son found himself in a terrible situation with no where to turn,and no one to help him. My sons problem was,that a baby boy was born,and she was denying him as the father and refused to let him see his new born son.My son was very nearly suicidale at the time and only for the fact he discovered and was able to turn to the wonderfull person that Ray Kelly is,i may not have my son with me today.Ray has been by my sons side ever since,and he could contact Ray 24 hours a day.My son now has joint custody of the baby and is very happy,What a difference a year makes.I would like to point out Ray Kelly puts the same effort into helping other fathers as he does with my son.Where this man gets the energy and time to make himself available one can but wonder.I think the point should not be lost,that this man not only helps join families together but also helps save the lifes of countless young men.
Welldone Ray you are an inspiration to those who suffer huge injustices and those who feel powerless . Your campaigning has offered valuble hope to countless Fathers , Families, Children and the other group of life savers Grandparents . God Bless you Ray
Well done Ray! You absolutely and utterly deserve this nomination! You have been a beacon of hope and inspiration to our family, and many others! Best of luck xx
I know this a well known saying that gets throwing around but it’s safe to say that it applies to this man Ray Kelly – There are no words in the English dictionary to describe this man. But I’ll try my best to describe him in my own words. Here it goes; he is so selfless it’s unreal, I would be lost without him, he has helped me so much this past year with regards advising me on family issues for my son, he guided me in the right direction in that my son and I now have a special bond that thanks for Ray’s guidence will last forever. I wreck his head 24 7 when I look for his guidence that I don’t know how the poor man hasn’t barred my number from his phone! He has a deep passion for the rights of innocent children to see and bond with both parents. I sometimes think that this man is not human the amount of time and effort that he gives to people in vulnerable situations. Ray what can I say you’re just Superman and you deserve this so so much.
Good luck to you Ray, your a man before your time that has to deal with outdated family law issues in a modern Ireland. life for a lot of children would be empty without their fathers, and you have done so much for children s family and personal rights, that the Irish State should be ashamed in failing to implement best child policy and adhere to it, yet again. Keep up this righteous fight for all of our futures sake, and the sake of our most vulnerable, our children,
God Bless You
Dave OK.
Ray, please keep you the great work you are doing with some many of families and I say families because its not just the fathers you think of, its the children and the women also ( grandparents). When people separate its a tough time and Ray you always show people to keep the best interest of the children first and give them a light at the end of the dark long tunnel. Best of luck. Kind regards Sandra
Farthers should be made to support and look after their family.Men walk away to easy and think having a child every second week is how they are great fathers and friends.there is no law to protect kids in this country.When your controlled by a man for over years.Its very hard for me and my son to get used to not being controlled and trying to leave on welfare.we have no support from his farther.His farther has a great life now with no responsabilty but has rights he wont support him.how can men like this call themselfs father.My son needs a dad not a friend thats 40yrs old.How can he ever teach him the morals of responabilty when he chooses to ignore this valuble lesson himself.look forward to hear how you can help support my son and i.as you are the one that gave my ex husband this advice which i find very strange as you are ment to help kids.
Some of the stories i heard from a few seperated fathers prompted me to write a song about their plight. I’d be happy to share the song with anyone who might like to hear (i’m not after anything myself, just like to support the injustice done to some men over the years in my little way).
I reckon most women are reasonable in seperation, as is my ex wife, so this song is only pointed at a greedy minority, and i also realise there are two sides to every coin
all the best
tom
Ray is tireless in his efforts to help single fathers through their difficulties in trying to get access to their children. His organisational ability is amazing. I wish him the best.