The recipients of this year's Rehab Galway People of the Year awards have been announced. The lucky and well-deserved winners will receive their awards at a glittering Gala Banquet and Presentation in the Clayton Hotel on Saturday 26 January 2008.

County Mayor Sean Canny and Cllr John Mulholland (centre) pictured with the Rehab People of the Year award winners at the ceremony which took place at the Clayton Hotel on Wednesday.

The winners were nominated by members of the public for their work and contribution in a variety of fields, which contributed to the betterment of the lives of people in their communities. An independent panel of adjudicators then selected the nominees, including former Galway Person of the Year Dr Jack McCann and Mary Bennett.

The Rehab Galway People of the Year awards ceremony is now recognised as one of the highlights of the Galway social calendar with proceeds from the event helping benefit services to people with disabilities.

Commenting on this year's award winners Rehab Area Organiser Ollie Robinson said: "The awards have once again captured the imagination of the Galway public with a massive response to the request for nominations. Over the years the contribution, social, economic, educational, sporting, or cultural, of the people who drive Galway's communities has been recognised by these awards."

The award winners

Brendan O'Connor, Oranhill

Brendan studied zoology and marine science at the then University College Galway in the early 1980s and while there was very involved with the UCG Choral Society. The members there really enjoyed their singing but graduation meant they had to go their separate ways and leave college behind. As a result, Cois Cladaigh was born and has since gone from strength to strength, celebrating its quarter century this year by inviting the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir to tour Ireland. Brendan is currently organising a weekend to celebrate the revival of the UCG Choral Group in 1967.

Ray O'Connor, Roscahill

Ray O'Connor is the proprietor of a thriving marketing and design company in Galway. He is a man who literally cannot stand still and it is that energy that has allowed him to play a crucial role in motivating others to partake in a healthy pastime and help thousands of others who are not fortunate enough to be able to do so.

His early association with Croí saw him give up his beloved cigarettes and start to run marathons in 2000. And then the bug bit. Since then he has completed an amazing 34 marathons, most of them for charity. This year alone, he has clocked up 12 in locations as diverse as Connemara, London, Vienna, Belfast, Cork and Longford. He is currently training to run across the searing heat of the Sahara Desert.

Ann Tierney, Tuam

For many years Ann Tierney was fascinated with the story of the crash of the Halifax EB134, which happened at Lavally on that fateful November night. A Tuam Herald report stated that a dance in The Phoenix Hall in Tuam was interrupted by the news that a plane had crashed at Ryhill and had sent a blinding flash of light across the fields on that dark winter night. The crew of seven of the RAF training flight died instantly, having flown low over Tuam trying to burn off fuel before crash-landing.

Ann set about organising a memorial and garden in honour of those who died. A fascinating accompanying booklet was also prepared for the unveiling ceremony, which was held in August. It also carried a royal seal of approval from Buckingham Palace, with Ann having been informed that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth was very interested in the project to commemorate the crew of the RAF Halifax.

Valerie Swanwick, Kilconnel and Ballinasloe

Valerie Swanwick has been a dedicated member of the Ballinasloe Mental Health Association for more than 40 years, spearheading a programme of promoting the awareness of mental health issues through visits to schools, public speaking competitions and various public meetings. Her efforts have made a massive difference to the lives of those suffering poor mental health and her work has helped change perceptions and break down obstacles in every community in the region.

Liam O'Carroll, Oranmore

Liam O'Carroll has down the years has through his own dedication and personal commitment made an immense contribution to the enjoyment of life for the locals. In his various roles in the Oranmore Development Association, he has overseen the development of an impressive Astroturf playing pitch and children's playground, and a community grass-surface pitch, all in the centre of the village.

James Harris, Galway

A born organiser, blessed with a wit and charm that it is impossible to refuse, James Harris uses his great personality to cajole hundreds of people into sharing his dream and ensures that worthy causes are provided with resources. For this reason, there is no doubt that he has made Galway very proud and that he is a worthy winner of a Galway Person of the Year Award for 2007.

James from Bohermore has become one of the visible exponents of charity in this city and county over the past few years. Through his tireless work, his boundless imagination has allowed him to raise funds for a variety of causes.

His promotion of the Once Upon A Time school diaries saw 700 children liaise with the elderly in their areas to record the memories of times past and build links between the young and the old.