Chairman Of The Boards

Jake with mum Sarah & brother Harry SUN26JUNE22

t all started with the simple desire to have a skate park in his native town.

And now, after a two-year campaign, Kilcoole’s Jake Mitchell was recognised for his community work this afternoon with a bright and shiny award.

The place was Greystones garda station, and the gong was, of course, a Wicklow Garda Youth Award.

And beyond Jake’s proud mum, Sarah, and his lively little brother, Harry, it seemed like every Mitchell family member and close friend was there on this sunny Sunday evening.

Luckily for Jake’s camera-shy pops, Ciaran, he had to work tonight, but he will no doubt be admiring his son’s award once he gets home.

Still, he missed the caramel squares, and the chocolate marshmallows. The fool!

One man who wasn’t going to miss the presentation was Tom Fortune, the Kilcoole councillor having championed Jake’s skate park efforts from day one.

“He’s an incredible young man,” said Tom. “The sort of person who just makes the world around them better for everyone. Jake loves being on his scooter, but he’s thinking about his little brother, Harry, and all the other kids coming behind him.

“A Kilcoole skate park is something that generation after generation of kids will be able to enjoy…”

We first spoke with the 16-year-old Jake two years ago, as he launched his one-boy campaign, and he quickly had politicians and Greystones Municipal District Council back his plan.

So, we dragged him away from the cakes to find out if that Kilcoole skate park is now closer to being a reality…?