Founder of Limerick's Haven Hub Leona O'Callaghan recognised as a 'community hero'

A CORBALLY woman has been recognised by insurance provider AXA Ireland for making an improvement to peoples' lives.

Leona O’Callaghan has been named as one of four AXA Community Heroes from across Ireland.

It followed a nationwide search, and hundreds of nominations.

Leona was given the title of AXA Community Hero in the Mental Health category.

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It recognises her work founding The Haven Hub in 2019.

Based in Thomondgate, the centre exists to provide free, volunteer-led, late-night peer support and crisis care for individuals experiencing emotional distress or suicidal thoughts.

Following her founding of The Haven Hub, Leona then led a campaign to secure a permanent home for the service which moved into its new building last year.

She still works on The Haven Hub’s free nighttime service.

As well as this, she has also taken on two projects to help younger people.

One supports those with mental health challenges by arranging activities and travel, the other is social and sober, which offers alternative activities for 18 to 30 year olds who would prefer to socialise away from the pub and party scene.

Leona says she will be donating the €20,000 prize directly to The Haven Hub.

“It makes it all worthwhile. To have this financial support makes a massive difference to being able to continue, and expand our services, and means that all the hard work, the late nights and times you’re away from your own family to provide this service are all worthwhile,” she said.

There were three other winners of AXA awards from around the country. Westmeath woman Donna Price was named in the road safety category, Scott Bryan of Dublin was recognised in the sustainability section and Mary Doherty of Donegal won a women’s safety prize.