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Richard McCarthy, an instructor in Renewable Energy and Sustainable Construction at CDETB Ballyfermot Training Centre in Dublin, and living in Co. Kildare, has received a significant award from Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal.

Richard was awarded the City and Guilds of London Institute’s President’s Award at the annual Prince Philip Medal ceremony, held at Buckingham Palace. It was presented by HRH The Princess Royal, who is President of the Institute.

Richard was recognised for his dedication to training and improving the lives of those most in need throughout his career. One of Richard’s biggest successes during his 14 years at Ballyfermot Training Centre has been developing Renewable Energy and Sustainable Construction courses. Richard’s idea for these courses followed one of his many voluntary trips to orphanages in some of Europe’s most disadvantaged countries. For the past 25 years Richard has regularly used his annual leave to go to disadvantaged countries to help the poor children. He was involved in coordinating many voluntary projects in countries like Romania, Albania, Belarus, Kenya and Somalia. Following one of these projects Richard started exploring the possibilities of developing a range of sustainable energy courses in Ireland.

On hearing of being awarded the President’s Award, Richard said:

‘Receiving such a prestigious award is a real honour, especially when it is for something that I passionately believe in. My aim has always been to make the public and in particular, the construction industry, aware of both the environmental and financial benefits of energy conservation. I will continue this journey and hopefully this award will give me an opportunity to pass on the message to a much wider audience.’