Gemma Brolly

Staff at Volunteer Now were deeply saddened on 3 November 2020 to hear of the death of Gemma Brolly from Newry.

Gemma has a long history with our organisation and with the volunteer centre network.  A previous Board member of the Volunteer Development Agency and Manager of the Newry Volunteer Centre, she was instrumental in steering the path for the development of Volunteer Now and an integrated regional and local volunteering infrastructure.  She was passionate about volunteering and in particular she was committed to developing volunteer involving services to meet the needs of people in her local area.  Despite ill health throughout her working life, she never let it stop her and she had a drive and enthusiasm that was infectious.

Having known Gemma for over 30 years, Sandra Adair, Volunteer Now, reflected on Gemma’s life by saying

“I remember the first day I met her.  She was one of those people that you would never forget.  You just had to meet her once and she made an impression that stayed with you.  She inspired you to do things to make a difference in the community, a true legend.”