No laughing matter as Offaly groups get Comic Relief boost
Offaly community and voluntary groups have received over €43,000 in funding from money raised during RTÉ Does Comic Relief, in a major round of grants to support under-pressure lifeline services.
The money is being distributed through the Community Foundation for Ireland which has provided over €60 million to communities during the past 20 years.
The grants include support for young people, services to older people, community services out of family resource centres, support for travellers and many more. A total of 13 grants are going to groups in Offaly.
In addition local communities will also benefit from grants provided to national organisations combatting the impact of stroke and cancer, as well as those promoting good mental health plus other activities.
Announcing the grants Denise Charlton, Chief Executive of the Community Foundation for Ireland said: “We recognise the groups who have provided protection, support and in many cases a lifeline to people throughout Offaly during 2020. The money is the result of the huge generosity of TV viewers, private and corporate donations as well as match funding from Government. All elements of this partnership came together to make this a truly unique event in a time like none of us have had to face before.
"The grants will be used by communities in Offaly to ensure that over-stretched services can continue through newly purchased technology, both hardware and software and supports to ensure their vital work can be carried out safely. Some projects have been fortunate enough to receive grants for differing areas of their work.”
Deirdre O'Kane, Steering Group, Comic Relief in Ireland, added: "It's wonderful to be at the point whereby the funds raised will now have a tangible positive impact on communities, groups and charities across the country. It's been an incredibly tough year for so many and we hope that these funds will now help to ease some of the burden."
Minister of State for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien, in welcoming the funding, said: “The grants allocated through RTE Does Comic Relief have been made possible through the generosity of viewers, and donors, which the Government has also strongly supported. I congratulate the Community Foundation for their immense efforts in administering the funds. The range of organisations and people being supported is vital to assisting communities during these unprecedented times”.
Offaly Grants*
Offaly Traveller Movement: €5,000
Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service: €2,500
Anam Beo: €2,925
Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service: €5,000
Tullamore Community & Family Resource Centre: €2,535
Moneygall Football Club: €2,925
Anam Beo: €3,000
Offaly Traveller Movement: €3,000
North Offaly Community Development Network: €2,925
Tullamore Community & Family Resource Centre: €2,925
Moneygall Development Association: €2,925
Kilcormac Development Association: €5,000
Moneygall Development Association: €2,656.88
*Note some groups are in receipt of more than one grant, as they applied for funding over different strands. Each grant approved is listed.