Bray Lions Club

** Update**

Adam wins 3rd Place in the
European Young Ambassador Final in Istanbul

Adam Harris, Bray Lions Club's Youth Award/Young Ambassador has won third place at the European Final in Istanbul.

Adam was represented his prize by the International President before 700 Lions from across Europe.

Adam did us very proud both in the interview and how he presented himself and our District at the Europa Forum.

Adam wins the Multiple District (Ireland & UK)
Young Ambassador Award

Adam Harris, a 17 year old student from Greystones is the Lions International Young Ambassador 2013 for Great Britain and Ireland. He will now represent the Multiple District at the Lions International Europa Forum in Istanbul. Turkey next October.

Representing Bray Lions Club, he won the title in competition with 12 UK finalists at Dudley, Birmingham over the weekend of February 22-24th. He impressed the panel of international judges with his projects on Asperger Syndrome and Suicide Prevention. Supported by Bray Lions Club, he has developed a smartphone app which enables young people anywhere in Ireland to gain access to suicide prevention helplines and he has also launched a self-help website for Asperger patients.

Adam was accompanied at the final by his mother Mary and Bray Lions Club mentor Frank Corr. On arrival back at Dublin Airport with his Silver Rose Bowl trophy, he was greeted by Robert MacClancy, president of Bray Lions Club, Lions District Governor for Ireland Joe Smith, Regional Chairman Maureen Cahill and members of Bray and Swords Lions Clubs.

Bray Lions Club also won the Bill Pye Memorial Trophy as sponsor of the Young Ambassador Award.

*Update*

Adam becomes Irish 'Ambassador'

Bray Lions Club 'Young Ambassador' Adam Harris has won the National Final of the Lions International Youth Award 2013 and will represent Ireland in the Multiple District Competition in the UK in February.

The Greystones student, who had already won the Regional Final, was declared winner from among six candidates representing Irish regions at the National Final held in the Clarion Hotel, Liffey Valley.

Adam, who was also a National Finalist in 2012, followed up on his success this week by launching a Smartphone app. which will assist young people who are suicidal or are suffering from depression. Bray Lions Club supported the development of the app which Adam developed for the GRASP Suicide Prevention organisation. It enables young people in any part of the country to instantly access helplines and support services in their area and has the backing of the major organisations providing these services. The app was launched at a reception in the Clyde Court Hotel in Dublin on Wednesday 16th January 2013.

Adam, who has recently appeared on the 'Late Late Show' and TV3 was interviewed by an independent panel of judges who were seeking a Young Ambassador to represent Ireland in the UK and Ireland Final.

Said Bray Lions Club project leader Frank Corr:

'The Youth Award recognises young people who make an outstanding contribution to the community at local or national level. Through his work in developing the app. and his many other activities in the community, Adam has been a wonderful Young Ambassador for Bray Lions Club. He will now participate in the Multiple District Final in the UK and we wish him every success.'

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App will help Suicidal Youth

An innovative Smartphone app which will assist young people who are suicidal or are suffering from depression was launched by the G.R.A.S.P Life Foundation in the Clyde Court Hotel Dublin on Wednesday 16th January 2013.

The app was created by Greystones, Co. Wicklow student Adam Harris, with support from Bray Lions Club, and is designed to enable young people in any part of the country to instantly access helplines and support services in their area. It has the backing of major organisations providing these services including Aware, Console, SOSAD, SOS and ' Let's Get Together' (Cork).

Speaking at the launch, Claire McTiernan, G.R.A.S.P Life Foundation, said that Ireland has the fourth highest rate of youth suicide in the EU and 65% of those who contact G.R.A.S.P are under 25 years of age. 'The negative effect of technology has been well-documented in recent times. However this app is an example of how we can benefit from technology in helping those who are vulnerable or in crisis within our society."

G.R.A.S.P for Life Foundation, she added, is founded on the premise that the educational aspect of suicide coupled with crisis intervention is vital in the prevention of suicide.

Introducing the app, Adam Harris, G.R.A.S.P Life Foundation App. Coordinator said: 'Youth mental health and in particular youth suicide, is the foremost issue of our generation, indeed it seems almost impossible to find someone who has not been affected or touched by these issues in some way. This is why I decided to try to help people my own age who may be feeling low or are worried about someone close to them. The app will help to inform people about the support services available across the country'.

John Buckley of the youth affairs website SpunOut.ie said that mental health 'is something we all have'. 'At times it's fragile and needs support. It's alright not to feel ok. We need to foster a culture amongst young people whereby they see that it's ok to reach out for support and when they do that the services they need are there.'

The President of Bray Lions Club, Robert MacClancy congratulated Adam on the creation of the app and on his success in winning the All Ireland Lions International Young Ambassador Award the previous weekend. 'I sincerely hope that this app will help to reduce the trauma which some families have suffered in recent months and in time will significantly reduce the number of suicides among young people in this country'.

The new app was designed by Michael Pierce with graphic designer Donal Campbell creating the supporting promotional material. To download the app from a smartphone go to the app store and search for G.R.A.S.P.

To download the G.R.A.S.P. App, click below


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Adam Harris has been chosen as 'Bray Lions Club Young Ambassador 2013' and will represent the club in the Lions Youth Awards competition.

He is pictured with adjudicators Donal Murray and Robert MacClancy, President Bray Lions Club and runner-up Helen Arundel.

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LIONS CLUB SEEKS YOUNG AMBASSADOR

Bray Lions Club has begun its search for a Young Ambassador who will represent the club in an international competition.

The Lions European Young Ambassador programme rewards young people (aged under 19 on 30th. June 2013), who are making a contribution to their local community through voluntary work, sporting activity or good citizenship.

The Ambassador will be selected by Bray Lions Club on 16th October, and will participate in a Regional Final where candidates for the National Final will be chosen. A Young Ambassador will then be selected to represent Ireland in the Multi District Competition which takes place in the UK. Prizes and bursaries are awarded to winners and Bray Lions Club will sponsor its candidate throughout the competition.

Adam Harris, the current Bray Lions Club Young Ambassador reached the National Finals of the competition in 2011.

Young people who wish to participate should contact Frank Corr,
on 086-8274710 or at fcorr100@gmail.com


More information about the Young Ambassador Programme