Paula is one of Ireland's Inspirational Heroes

FOLLOWING a nationwide search to uncover Ireland’s most inspirational people, Paula Nolan from Killeigh, Co. Offaly is celebrating after being named an Inspirational Hero in the Gala Retail and Virgin Media Inspiration Awards.

Nominated by family and friends for the Inspiration Award, Paula stood out for her dedication and selfless hard work.

Over the years Paula has run four marathons raising thousands of Euro for charity and has been instrumental in setting up a sensory room at Killeigh School. During lockdown, Paula took her camera and shot photos of over 70 families on their doorstep, donating all the proceeds from this project to Killeigh Community Centre. Of herself, Paula says: "I don’t measure what I do. I just like to help people if I can."

Inspirational people from across Ireland were nominated for the Gala Retail and Virgin Media Inspiration Awards, with 26 inspirational county heroes being named from the hundreds of entries received. Each of the 26 award-winning heroes demonstrated how they have made Ireland a better place with their selfless acts and inspirational deeds during the Covid-19 crisis, and how they have gone above and beyond for others in their local community.

2020 marks the second year of the Gala Retail Inspiration Awards created as a way of celebrating the selfless acts and inspirational deeds of people in Ireland who are making the country a better place.

Gala Retail has gifted €20,000 of prizes to the winners, with 26 county winners being awarded with luxury stays in some of Ireland’s most beautiful Blue Book properties. For further information, see www.gala.ie.