Charlie Loughman has recently retired from the Irish Defence Forces and as a result has discovered he has a lot of spare time on his hands.
During his 40 years with the defence forces Charlie, who is from Monaghan, served along the Northern Irish border.
Charlie says he is now looking for a new challenge and he also wants to give something back to the community.
Today FM's Off The Charts with Fergal D'Arcy and Dairygold are celebrating some very special volunteers who spend their time making a minute for the good stuff.
For many people around Ireland ‘making a minute for the good stuff’ means helping others, and in turn this can help them feel happier and healthier.
So we caught up with Charlie as he began his volunteering journey, giving his time to help those involved with Special Olympics Ireland.
Charlie’s local club has between 50 to 60 competing athletes, who work closely with a team of around 40 to 50 volunteers.
A few weeks in and Charlie is loving every minute of it, 'These athletes are something else altogether, their determination has to be witnessed to be believed.'
Charlie was initially nervous about starting this new chapter in his life, but now he says there was no need for any nerves whatsoever, 'I was actively seeking a challenge, something that would give me a bit of purpose in life.'
Just by giving his time to make a minute for others, Charlie has found that purpose, and so much more, by volunteering with Special Olympics Ireland.
