The annual Aviva Broker Community Fund Awards ceremony took place on 5th December in Aviva Stadium when eight charity and community organisations, who were shortlisted from a total of 167 entries. These groups presented their plans to the judging panel on the day to fund much needed projects for their respective communities.
A panel of judges, to include Brian O’Neill, Head of Communications, Sponsorship and Sustainability, Aviva Ireland, Rachael Larney, Aviva’s Sustainability Executive, Steve McGerr, Sales Director for Aviva Insurance Ireland, Norman Costello, Sales Director for Aviva Life and Pensions Ireland. Guest judges Grainne Callanan of Matheson law firm and former rugby player, Dave Kearney were hugely complimentary at the standard of presentations on the day which were outstanding, with all judges in agreement that it was very difficult to choose the outright winners.
Charity Category
At the event, Steve McGerr, Sales Director, Aviva Insurance Ireland announced the first winner of the €20,000 top donation under the charity category as Dillon Quirke Foundation, nominated by Catherine Cranley of Arachas Corporate Brokers. Runners up in this category, each of whom received €11,000, were CyberSafeKids nominated by Alan O’Sullivan, Priya Wealth Management; Turn2Me, nominated by Joe Murphy, Elevate Financial Planning; BUMBLEance Childrens Ambulance Service, nominated by Geraldine Hanly, Blackhall Financial Services; and Respect CLG, nominated by Claire Hanrahan, Irish Pensions and Finance.
Community Organisation Category
Norman Costello, Sales Director, Aviva Life and Pensions Ireland, announced the winner of the community organisation category award as Little Warriors, nominated by Paula McLoughlin, Phoenix Financial Services. Runners up in this category included Wexford FC, nominated by Siobhán Briscoe, Travers & Co. Insurances Limited and Fermoy Tidy Towns, nominated by Paul Kavanagh, McCarthy Insurance Group.
The Aviva Broker Community Fund, now in its seventh year, provides a unique opportunity for financial advisers and brokers throughout the country to support their local registered charity or community organisation by nominating them for an award, giving them a much-needed financial boost. The prize fund, which is managed by Aviva Ireland, was increased again this year to a total prize fund of €141,000. The runners up were awarded an extra €1,000 on the day to acknowledge the time and effort which had gone into their nominations. The fund was divided between one charity fund award of €20,000, plus four runners-up receiving €11,000 each, one community organisation award of €20,000, and two runners-up receiving €11,000 each. The remainder of the funds was allocated to the first 100 entries received to the awards, each of whom received €350.