- Football coach and charity worker selected for their services to humankind -
Domino’s, the nation’s favourite pizza, has today announced the first recipients of the new Order of the Domino’s Empire. The ODE is a cheeky play on the Honours List that rewards people for extraordinary services to sport, entertainment and humankind with completely free pizza for a year, making Domino’s the Official Food of Everyday Heroes.
The first two ODE’s have been carefully selected by the big cheeses at Domino’s, following a nationwide search for people who had made won-dough-ful things happen within their communities and or a significant contribution to humankind.
Sandhurst based football manager, Kevin Fitzmaurice was nominated by his daughter Keira for his excellence in coaching kids at his local club to excel as footballers and members of society. Over the past fifteen years Kevin has juggled a full-time job and a young family as well as inspiring his young players to be the best they can be – encouraging them to use football to overcome challenges in their personal lives. Eighteen of Kevin’s former team members joined forces with Keira to create an outstanding nomination, which explains how the humble hero has mentored them through life’s many ups and downs, helping them get to university and pursue professional careers.
The second recipient is 20-year-old Holly O’Shea of Selly Oak, Birmingham, who was nominated by her boyfriend Jonah for her services to both sport and humankind. Holly’s achievements include the impressive accolade of being the youngest ever athlete to compete in the Dubai Challenge in aid of Palestinian refugees. An avid volunteer, Holly has also spent a summer in Uganda teaching local children how to read and write. At home, she’s an active contributor at her university, Loughborough, in support of the LGBT community, as well as being a member of the Youth Sport Trust, which helps young girls to achieve their full potential.
Each recipient has been presented with a specially designed ODE medal, created by the official OBE manufacturers Toye & Co. More recipients including many high-profile candidates from the worlds of sport and entertainment and more deserving members of the public will be announced before the end of the year.
Simon Wallis Chief Operating Officer said: “When we launched the Order of the Domino’s Empire, we wanted to make Domino’s the Official Food of Everyday Heroes, in addition to recognising our celebrity fans. We received thousands of nominations and our ODE panel heard some wonderfully inspiring stories. We salute our first ODE recipients and hope our freshly handmade pizza makes their lives a little better when they need it!”
Kevin Fitzmaurice, ODE said:
“I’m overwhelmed that I’ve been chosen to be honoured as one of the very first ODE’s! I had absolutely no idea that my daughter and team had nominated me. Sandhurst Town FC has been my pride and joy over the last ten years, I have taught the boys since they were three or four years old and they’re like family to me. My thanks goes out to the tremendous wider team of coaches and parents who have supported me from the beginning. We’ll definitely be celebrating our next three points with pizza!”
Holly O’Shea, ODE said:
“I was over the moon simply to be shortlisted for the Order of the Domino’s Empire, so to be an official recipient is just incredible. I know there were probably thousands of people just as deserving and I promise to make sure the pizza is put to good use! I can only say thank you to my boyfriend for nominating me and to Domino’s for selecting me, I’m genuinely really proud.”
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For further info please contact the Domino’s team at Shine on:
020 7100 7100 / 07850 508 412 or dominos@shinecom.com
About Domino’s Pizza Group
Domino's Pizza Group plc is the leading player in the fast-growing pizza market holding the exclusive master franchise to own, operate and franchise Domino's stores in the UK, Republic of Ireland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Luxembourg. Additionally, it owns a strategic stake in the largest pizza delivery business in Germany and a controlling interest in the holders of the Domino's master franchises in Iceland, Norway and Sweden. The first UK store opened in Luton in 1985 and Domino’s Ireland is celebrating its 25-year anniversary this Autumn.
