Four people are to be given an opportunity to forget about their day job for a year and be paid to work for a charity of their choice as part of an initiative announced today.
"World of Difference” offers a salary of €40,000 to the successful applicants so they will not lose out financially while trying to make an impact for a worthy cause.
The project, run by the Vodafone Ireland Foundation, has benefited organisations working in areas such as addiction, disability, HIV/Aids, mental health and integration since it began five years ago.
The judging panel for the competition includes DJ Ray D'Arcy, television presenters Claire Byrne and Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin, entrepreneur Gavin Duffy, Mary O'Kennedy of Fundraising Ireland, Paul Ryan of the Vodafone Foundation and Irish Times journalist Róisín Ingle.
Ms Ní Shúilleabháin said it was important that applicants came into the programme with a definite plan of action.
“We want somebody who had done the research and maybe even communicated with the charity to see where the openings are,” she said. “I think that as long as it’s something that you’re interested and not just something that is local . . . a charity that you have a link with and might really enjoy.”
One of last year’s winners, Patrick Haslett, who worked with Paralympics Ireland, said his experience with the charity had been more like a hobby than a job.
“The Paralympic team had always been really good on the field,” he said. “But they were always reliant on State funding, and the goal was to increase sustainable revenue and the brand of the sport and develop greater awareness among the Irish public.
“It’s been the best year of my life work wise. It’s been fantastic to be part of a group of committed and inspirational individuals achieving at the highest level.”
More information about the initiative and an application form are available from vodafone.ie/worldofdifference. The closing date for entries is September 10th.
