JUNE Curtin from Spanish Point has been named Clare’s Most Inspirational Person by an initiative to shine a light on unsung heroes.

The West Clare woman was this year’s Clare winner of the Gala Retail Inspiration Awards, run in association with Virgin Media.

June’s extensive and inspirational work in the mental health and charity sectors within the local community earned her the title of Inspirational Person in this year’s awards.

June really impressed the judges for her work in the local community and is a worthy winner of the county award for her inspirational efforts.

The founder of Snamhaí Sásta, a community of swimmers, June promotes the benefits of sea swimming and the importance of minding your mental health.

She also fundraises every December for the Simon Community by swimming three times a day from December 1 until December 21.

From a huge volume of nominations, 26 county heroes were crowned.

Noreen Murphy, from Bantry in County Cork, was named as the Overall Inspirational Person of the Year for her services to mental health with the establishment of Lisheen’s House Suicide Prevention Charity.

Established four years ago to celebrate individuals who work to create better communities with their selfless acts and inspirational deeds, Gala Retail awarded inspirational people from every county in Ireland, naming county inspirational people who were each gifted €1,000 in Ireland Hotel vouchers.

According to Gary Desmond, CEO of Gala Retail, choosing the winners was a challenging task.

“We’ve heard some truly inspirational stories from people across Ireland during these awards, which has affirmed something we already knew – that we have so many selfless people carrying out great work in our communities,” he said.

“Now in their fourth year, the Inspiration Awards pay tribute to people who play a key role in creating a better country for us all. Operating in communities throughout Ireland, Gala Retailers have seen first-hand some of the great work that people have been doing and we are proud to have been able to recognise some of these inspirational individuals.

“We were overwhelmed by the level of nominations and June along with the fellow inspirational heroes are true examples of people who are making Ireland a better place. Congratulations June and all our county heroes!”