A 14-year-old student in Coláiste Cholmcille in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal, has become the latest young person to become an honorary garda.
Malachi Collins, a second-year student, received a Little Blue Hero Award this afternoon and he was sworn in in front of family and friends ahead of the midterm break.
Nadine Collins told RTÉ News she hopes the programme will open other doors for her son.
"We will get to meet so many more people in similar circumstances. It's lovely," she said.
The Little Blue Heroes Foundation is a not-for-profit charity operated by volunteers made up of garda members, past and present, alongside community groups.
Its mission is to provide support to families of children who have serious illnesses, whilst making dreams come true and making young people honorary gardaí. There are about 700 Little Blue Heroes across Ireland.
Sharon Kelly from Ballyshannon, whose daughter Caoimhe passed away last year, said the programme was important to her family, as she was also an honorary garda.
"Caoimhe and Malachi were special friends. I’m delighted Malachi has become an honorary garda because I know how much it will do for him and his family.
"Little Blue Heroes are so involved in our families and our children’s lives. They bring so much to our lives and support us in so many ways."
Anne McCardle, a staff member at Coláiste Cholmcille, said Malachi brought joy in bucket loads to the school.
"He’s always telling jokes. He loves a party and a good song. He’s an inspiration to each one of us," she said.
Garda Juvenile Liaison Officer for south Donegal, Yvonne Carolan, told RTÉ News that the foundation is about supporting families of children with serious illnesses while empowering the lives of children.
"We’re delighted for all the honorary gardaí. They help us with the parades on St Patrick’s Day, and they help us with traffic management at football matches.
"It’s important for us to have that help and it’s great for the families as well," Garda Carolan said.
