Castleblayney student and Polish native honoured at national volunteer awards

A teenager from Castleblayney will be honoured today at Ireland's Top Youth Volunteer Awards.

The Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards is the only all-Ireland youth initiative of its kind.

The program rewards post-primary students for outstanding acts of volunteerism and the positive contribution they make in their local communities and further afield.

Bartek Karpinski  arrived from Poland 10 years ago and is now a sixth year student in Castleblayney College.

His personal experience of immigration led him to work in his local community to change people's attitudes towards non-nationals living in Ireland.

Gerry Hand is the Principal in Castleblayney College where Bartek is a student, and he says Bartek is an inspiring person.