H-C Financial has become the first Galway recipient of a Vodafone Passion for the World Around Us Business Award 2007/08. The company has been recognised for its ten-year support and commitment to the Galway based charity, Cope.

Hannah Kiely and Gerry Cuddy from HC Financial Services pictured with Jacqui Horan from Cope and Galway Chamber President Peter Allen at the Awards Ceremony in the chamber offices on Monday Evening. Photo: Reg Gordon

H-C Financial, an independent financial services company is a key player in the business community in Galway. The company believes in giving something back to the community and uses its resources, time, expertise and finance to assist those who are less fortunate through the charity Cope.

Cope provides emergency accommodation for homeless people, services for women and children who experience domestic violence and a support service for older people.

The Passion for the World Around Us Awards are run by Vodafone in partnership with Galway Chamber and 17 other Chambers nationwide. The awards recognise and reward individuals and businesses who make an effort to improve their local communities and who have been successful in making a positive contribution to the world around them.

Gerry Cuddy, who is a director of H-C Financial Services, represents the company on the Board of Management of Cope since 1998. He has been the Chairman of the Board since 1999. H-C Financial has been directly involved in three rounds of strategic planning with Cope and has used its business acumen to successfully lobby the Government for resources for the charity.

H-C Financial rolled out a Corporate Donor Programme for Cope and through the company's contacts in the local business community this fund has provided Cope with a total of €200,000 to date. Cope's annual fundraising Golf Classic has been sponsored by H-C Financial Services for the past four years, to the value of €8,000 to date.

According to Valerie O' Connell, Vodafone Business Account Manager in Galway, "H-C Financial's award is greatly deserved and I'd like to pay tribute to their management and staff and particularly Gerry Cuddy for going that extra mile above and beyond the normal course of business – to enhance life in the community. H-C Financial Services has displayed excellent corporate citizenship over the last ten years.

Her remarks were echoed by David Niland, President of Galway Chamber, who said, "H-C Financial is an extremely worthy winner and we are delighted that they are the business recipient of a Passion for the World Around Us Award in 2007/08. I want to commend them for their civic spirit ethos, which is as strong as it was ten years ago. They are an example to all businesses of the rewarding work that can be done in the local community. I'd like to thank Vodafone for making this award possible and for their help and assistance in organising the awards."

At the ceremony, Galway Chamber also called for nominations for the next round of Passion for the World Around Us Awards. This round will focus on individuals in Galway and the surrounding areas that have made a valuable contribution to their community. Nomination forms are available from Galway Chamber, local Vodafone stores or via www.vodafone.ie. Once completed, the forms should be returned to the Chamber. Entries can also be sent via email, to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Simply send the name of the business being nominated and details of why they deserve the award.

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