Cork public urged to vote for Brighter Communities Worldwide in national charity awards
Brighter Communities Worldwide is urging people across Cork to vote for the charity in the 2026 People’s Choice Award at the Charities Institute Ireland Charity Excellence Awards. Voting closes at 11.59pm on 29 October.
Based in Cork, Brighter Communities Worldwide has spent more than 20 years working with communities in Kenya to improve healthcare, education and family opportunities. It is also a finalist in the Small Charity Big Impact category. The public-voted People’s Choice Award recognises charities making a difference across Ireland and beyond, and the winner will be announced at the awards gala dinner on 5 November 2026.
At the heart of Brighter Communities Worldwide’s nomination is the Living Hope Emergency & Trauma Centre in Kericho County, Kenya, established through collaboration between local health authorities, Irish supporters and international partners following a devastating tragedy.
In June 2023, a road traffic accident at Londiani Junction claimed 52 lives and left many others with life-changing injuries. The tragedy exposed gaps in emergency care, prompting local health leaders and the Kericho County Ministry of Health to develop plans for a dedicated trauma centre. Brighter Communities Worldwide helped mobilise the resources and support to make it happen.
More than 300 individual donors and eight institutional funders helped raise €165,000 for the centre, which opened in November 2025. Within months, it had treated 424 patients for road traffic injuries, burns, poisonings and other medical emergencies. The project reflects the charity’s commitment to community-led partnerships and sustainable healthcare improvements.
Commenting on the nomination, Rose Hennessy, Operations Manager, Brighter Communities Worldwide said: “We are delighted to be shortlisted for the People’s Choice Award and would be grateful for the support of people across Cork. The Living Hope Emergency & Trauma Centre shows what can be achieved when communities lead the way and people work together. Thanks to our partners in Kenya and supporters in Ireland, a vision born out of tragedy is now helping people in their time of greatest need. This nomination celebrates the lasting change that genuine partnership can achieve.”
The Charities Institute Ireland Charity Excellence Awards celebrate achievements across Ireland’s charity sector, with the People’s Choice Award decided by public vote. The award is sponsored by Ecclesiastical Insurance Ireland.
David Lane, Managing Director, Ecclesiastical Insurance said: “Charities across Ireland make an extraordinary contribution to communities. The People’s Choice Award gives the public an opportunity to recognise that impact, and I encourage everyone to learn about this year’s finalists and cast their vote.”
Vote for Brighter Communities Worldwide before 11.59pm on Thursday, 29 October at https://charitiesinstitute.ie/pages/charity-excellence-awards.
