Volunteers who work to save lives in war-torn Syria are to be given the 2016 Tipperary Peace Prize.

The men and women, known as the White Helmets on account of their hard hats, save people on all sides of the conflict.

The White Helmets mostly deal with the aftermath of air attacks, and they have risked sniper fire to rescue bodies of soldiers to give them a proper burial.

Bakers, tailors, engineers, pharmacists, painters, carpenters, students and many more make up their contingent.

The group is made up of volunteers from all walks of life. 191 of them have been killed while saving others.

As well as saving lives, the White Helmets deliver public services to nearly seven million people.

This includes reconnecting electrical cables, providing safety information to children and securing buildings.

They are the largest civil society organisation operating in areas outside of Syrian government control.

Previous recipients of the Tipperary Peace Convention include education campaigner Malala Yousafzai, former US Secretary of State John Kerry, Irish aid worker Margaret Hassan, former South African president Nelson Mandela and former prime minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto.

The award is "a testament to the enormous bravery and courage shown" by the White Helmets, the convention said in a statement.

The group will receive the award at BallyKisteen Hotel, Tipperary on September 6th.

The Irish Syria Solidarity Movement is also to host a ceremonial planting of a native oak tree in honour of the White Helmets and in recognition of their being awarded the peace prize.

The event, at in Dublin's Stephen’s Green on Thursday, will also pay tribute to the Syrian people.

A documentary based on the White Helmets won the Academy Award for Best Documentary (Short Subject) in February.