Celebrating Achievement and Community Spirit: Ballyrunners Graduation 2025

On Thursday, 2nd October 2025, the Hive Room at DCU’s Glasnevin Campus was filled with pride, applause, and community spirit as the Ballyrunners Graduation Ceremony celebrated the achievements of this year’s participants. The morning brought together graduates, families, community partners, and supporters to honour the dedication and impact of young people who have made volunteering a part of their journey.

Hosted by Derek Cleary, Director of Localise Youth Volunteering, the event reflected the true heart of the Ballyrunners programme — empowering young people to make a positive difference in their communities while growing in confidence and skill.

The ceremony began with a warm welcome from Prof. Daire Keogh, President of Dublin City University, who commended the graduates for their commitment and highlighted the value of volunteering in shaping both personal growth and stronger communities.

Dr. Pat Kavanagh, Founder of Ballyrunners and the Ballymun Job Centre, then shared an overview of the year’s achievements, celebrating the journey that each participant had undertaken. His words were followed by powerful community reflections from Dolores Heery, Head of Mission at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, and Andrew Montague, community representative, both of whom spoke about how volunteer programmes like Ballyrunners help weave deeper connections across Dublin’s communities.

One of the highlights of the morning was Ballyrunners 2025 – A Story, a short video introduced by Dr. Kavanagh that captured the laughter, teamwork, and transformation of this year’s group. From small acts of service to lasting friendships, it showcased the real-world impact of their volunteer work.

The moment of celebration reached its peak as the graduates stepped forward to receive their Certificates of Achievement, presented by Prof. Anne Looney, Executive Dean of the Institute of Education at DCU and Dr. Kavanagh. Each certificate represented not only hours of service but also a journey of learning and growth. Among the awards presented was the Bronze Gaisce – The President’s Award, recognising participants’ dedication to personal development, community involvement, and perseverance throughout the programme.

As the ceremony drew to a close, attendees gathered for refreshments — a chance to share memories, congratulate one another, and look ahead to the next chapter. The atmosphere was one of pride, gratitude, and optimism for the future.

The 2025 Ballyrunners cohort embodies the spirit of service, leadership, and community that the programme was built upon. Their achievements remind us that volunteering not only changes communities — it changes lives.