Boyzone singer and actor Keith Duffy has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery in recognition of his fundraising work and activism for children with autism.
Since 2001, Duffy, a Patron for Irish Autism Action (IAA), has helped to raise almost €4m for autistic children and their families.
Honorary Secretary of the RCSI Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Catherine Clune Mulvaney, said: "I recommend Mr Keith Duffy for the highest honour this Faculty can bestow for his work as an outstanding advocate for children with autism and their families."
She continued: "His hard work and determination have raised vital funding for specialist service development across the country, increasing the availability of much needed education programmes and support structures."
She added: "Keith continues to inspire families and provide hope for those who are faced with the initial shock of an autism diagnosis, by raising awareness about autism in the public domain and highlighting the need for early intervention, appropriate education and care for children with autism."
