Humanitarian of the Year Award
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The Irish Red Cross Humanitarian of the Year award is the highest honour bestowed by the organisation.
This Award’s intent is to build awareness – not only for the dedicated work of a person or group who have remained steadfast in their commitment to reduce suffering – but it is for all of us to see what is possible when selfless people act in support of others.
The Irish Red Cross Humanitarian of the Year will have demonstrated extraordinary leadership in a project or endeavour that has had a positive impact on the lives of others. This individual will have demonstrated courage and creativity, the power to inspire others, the ability to lead – and to follow.
This work could be in one of the following areas: disaster relief, human development, refugee assistance, civil society, equitable economic development, health, environment, education, population or public policy.
Angela Hayes – Humanitarian of the Year 2025
Following her personal experience with the devastating impact of suicide, Angela Hayes recognised the critical lack of adequate suicide prevention and bereavement support services in her community. In response, she founded The Thomas Hayes Trust in 2014, creating Teac Tom as a lifeline for individuals struggling with mental health challenges. Unlike many mental health services that have lengthy waiting lists, Teac Tom provides immediate, accessible support through walk-in crisis intervention, professional counseling, and comprehensive family support—ensuring that no one has to suffer in isolation during their darkest moments.
The impact of Angela’s work has been substantial. In 2024 alone, Teac Tom delivered nearly 5,000 one-to-one support and therapy sessions across multiple age groups, including specialised adolescent services, adult counseling, and children’s play therapy. These services are provided without requiring doctor referrals and at minimal cost to clients, ensuring that financial constraints never prevent someone from receiving vital mental health support.
Under Angela’s leadership, Teac Tom must raise €300,000 annually to maintain these critical services, representing a significant fundraising challenge that she meets through persistent advocacy and community engagement. Her commitment to ensuring that cost is never a barrier for those in need demonstrates a profound understanding of how financial considerations often prevent people from seeking mental health support.
Through Teac Tom, Angela has created a model for community-based mental health intervention that addresses critical gaps in statutory services, providing immediate, accessible, and compassionate support to individuals and families affected by mental health crises and suicide.