Keith Duffy, singer, actor, television and radio presenter, has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship from the RCSI Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, in recognition of his work as a campaigner for children with autism.

The honour was conferred at a special event to mark the 40th Anniversary of the RCSI Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery. The event was opened by Minister Kathleen Lynch, TD, Minister for Primary Care, Social Care (Disabilities and Older People) and Mental Health.

Duffy has been actively fundraising and raising awareness for children with autism, since 2001. He is a patron for Irish Autism Action (IAA) and over the last decade, has helped to raise almost four million euro which has significantly contributed to the creation and development of services for children with autism and their families. In addition to this latest honour from RCSI, his efforts have received national recognition including a Rehab People of the Year Award in 2008 the 2013 Philanthropist of the Year award.

Honorary Secretary of the RCSI Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Ms Catherine Clune Mulvaney, who read the citation, said: "I recommend Keith Duffy for the highest honour this Faculty can bestow for his work as an outstanding advocate for children with autism and their families. 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. 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."

Speaking at the opening of the event, Minister Kathleen Lynch, TD, Minister for Primary Care, Social Care (Disabilities and Older People) and Mental Health, said: "As the longest standing provider of post graduate nursing and midwifery education in Ireland, the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery has worked to develop education and training programmes that have evolved over the last 40 years. The Faculty has contributed to the quality care and the national patient safety agenda through the development and evolution of education programmes over time that are based on the principles and values of person centred, holistic, compassionate care; underpinned by both the science and art associated with that care. I am delighted to be present for the today's celebration and I wish to congratulate the Faculty on the milestone of its 40th Anniversary. I wish to congratulate Mr Keith Duffy on receiving his Honorary Fellowship from the Faculty and I commend his excellent work in the area of autism, which is closely linked to the Faculty's' founding values."

Following the Honorary Conferring Ceremony, the Faculty launched a special anniversary publication, ‘Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery 40th Anniversary History 1974-2014’. The books explores the key historical events that have taken place in the Faculty from the lens of its founders, deans and fellows and discussed the early and current academic development within the Faculty and School.

The book is co-authored by Dr John Adams, Cambridge University, Fellow of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery and noted historian; Professor Marie Carney, Dean of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery; and Mr Thomas Kearns, Executive Director of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery and a Board member of the Faculty.

Professor Marie Carney, Dean of the RCSI Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, said: "The RCSI Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery has played a pivotal role in the education and training of nurses in Ireland since its foundation. Mary Frances Crowley, the Foundation Dean, was a person of great vision and a well- honed sense of the noble role of the nursing profession in healthcare. Modern nursing and midwifery practice, research and education owes a considerable debt to the professional visionaries, risk takers, innovators, leaders and thinkers who laid the foundations for the Faculty."