‘Caring champion’ Alison from Coleraine is crowned Caring Spirit Award winner
An extraordinary Coleraine woman, who opened up her home following a family tragedy that left her niece parentless, has been presented with this year’s Power NI-sponsored Caring Spirit Award.
Alison O’Hara received the accolade during the Spirit of NI Awards in Belfast – an event which celebrates and honours the province’s many unsung heroes.
The Caring Spirit Award recognises someone who has dedicated their time to caring for a friend or family member and was presented by television legends and close friends Linda Robson and Debbie McGee, alongside Gwyneth Compston, CSR Manager at Power NI.
When Alison’s niece lost her mother and father, she didn’t hesitate to open her home and her heart and provided a safe place that guaranteed stability and offered compassion. In short, Alison became the one person that her niece knew she could depend always on.
A few years later, Alison lost her best friend. Again, despite dealing with her own grief, Alison stepped in to care for her friend’s sister after she suffered a stroke while also caring for her own father after his cancer diagnosis – one week after her mother’s own diagnosis.
In the darkest moments, Alison has shown remarkable strength and dignity to all those around her, becoming the light of hope amongst dark times.
As her daughter put it: “Mum, you are the heart of our family, our caring champion, and we couldn’t be prouder of you.”
Power NI’s CSR Manager, Gwyneth Compston, said: ““Alison’s compassion and selflessness reflect the values we hold dear, and Power NI is pleased to play a part in recognising and celebrating such remarkable people in Northern Ireland.”