The brave work of Carndonagh mother Joan Doherty has been recognised at RSA’s ‘Leading Lights’ awards.

Donegal woman Joan Doherty lost her daughter Kellie in a tragic road traffic collision in 2005.

Every year, she relives the devastating events that took Kellie from her.

Kellie was 21 years old when she died in a crash in Redcastle. She was a passenger in a car, travelling home from a night out with friends, when the driver rounded a bend, crossed the continuous white line and hit an oncoming car.

Kellie’s friend Alice Mullen (22) was also killed in the head-on collision. The driver was found guilty of dangerous driving.

Joan has taken on a personal mission to educate Donegal students on road safety. At the Donegal Road Safe Show she revisits the moments her world was torn apart, onstage, in front of thousands of young people.

She tells young people how the loss of her daughter changed her life forever. She has assisted with the organisation of the show every year for 12 years and gives her time freely to spread the message.

Joan Doherty’s contribution to local road safety was recognised at this year’s Road Safety Authority Leading Lights awards. She was honoured with the prize for ‘Education – Secondary’.

Louise McGeever accepting an RSA Leading Light award on behalf of Joan Doherty from RSA Chairperson, Liz O’Donnell

The award was presented to Louise McGeever on behalf of Joan by the RSA chairperson Liz O’Donnell at the RSA’s 11th annual ‘Leading Lights in Road Safety’ Awards on Wednesday 12th December in Croke Park.

Another award winner from Donegal was Ronan Bradley who won the ‘Approved Driving Instructor – Car Award. Ronan commenced work as an ADI training instructor in early 2015.

Ronan always strives to meet the needs of his students and always works hard to promote Road Safety messages for those going through the learning to drive process.