Vodafone World of Difference

Vodafone Ireland Foundation Announce Winners of the World of Difference Programme

What does a young IT specialist from Dundalk, a Kilkenny woman currently working with people with disabilities, a Dublin man just back from seventeen years living and working in the UK and a former senior consultant/ advisor to WHO, UNAIDS and European Union on Social Welfare and NGO development have in common?

They are all winners of the Vodafone Ireland Foundation (VIF) World of Difference Programme. VIF today announced the winners of this innovative new programme which searched the country to find four people eager to give up their jobs and spend a year, paid by Vodafone Ireland Foundation working for their chosen registered Irish charity.

Hundreds of applications were received for the programme and following a thorough selection process, Vodafone Ireland Foundation has selected the four people with the passion, skills and commitment to make a real World of Difference to a cause close to their hearts.

These fours winners each have agreed their own unique project with their chosen charity that they will complete over their World of Difference year;

With a huge number of worthwhile Irish charities represented by so many strong applications choosing four was a challenging task. The World of Difference programme aimed to find four individuals who combined their passion for their charity, and their skill set to present a project that would leave a lasting legacy after their year's work was completed. Des, Michael, Anne and John will now prepare to leave their current roles and take up their new positions by July 2007, with their year's salary and expenses funded by the Vodafone Ireland Foundation.

Commenting on the winners Jan Mottram, Chairperson of Vodafone Ireland Foundation said; "We were absolutely overwhelmed by the standard and volume of applications received for our first World of Difference programme here in Ireland. People of all ages and backgrounds invested a huge amount of time and energy demonstrating to us their desire to make a difference to the cause that they felt most passionate about. It was really difficult to choose our final candidates out of so many extraordinary people. I know that our winner's ideas, skills and passion will enable them to make a real change to people's lives that will leave a legacy for years to come.

We would like to congratulate Des, Anne, John and Michael and look forward to supporting them over the next 12 months, but also want to thank all those that entered and wish them every success with their own endeavours"

Today FM's, Ray Darcy, a member of the judging panel commented,

"It was great to be part of this imitative and I was impressed but not surprised by the extent of the desire and drive of those who entered, to make a difference. The World of Difference programme has demonstrated, despite what we hear and read about the reduction of community involvement in Ireland, that if provided with the means there are many people in this country willing to give up their current jobs to work for a charity that really moves them."

Roisin Ingle, Irish Times Journalist and presenter of "Weekend Blend" on Newstalk also on the panel commented "The four people we have chosen each had a remarkable story to tell. Each project was innovative and new, filling a real need in Irish society. We have every faith that in one year each of the winners will make a real difference and look forward to following their progress throughout the year."

www.vodafone.ie