Three Offaly projects get funding boost from RTÉ Toy Show appeal

Three projects in Offaly will share more than €70,000 in grant funding from the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal this year.

The generosity of viewers of last December’s Late Late Toy Show saw donations of €5 million being pledged, and the 169 recipients from the fund this year were announced in recent days.

Offaly Traveller Movement was the county's biggest beneficiary from the fund, as it was awarded €40,000 towards a project which "aims to expand the availability of Traveller-specific culturally appropriate therapeutic counselling support for young Travellers, ensuring they have access to mental health services that understand and respect their unique needs".

Ballycommon Telework & Training Centre, in Ballycommon, Tullamore, was granted €16,000 for an "Inclusive Education Project" serving the Traveller and Roma communities.

Another Offaly project to receive funding support was Clara Community & Family Resource Centre, which was granted €15,000 for its 'Planet Youth' project to "continue employing a youth worker to engage marginalised teens in relevant programmes and themes."

The centre also plans to "provide adolescent and play therapy sessions to young people".

The RTÉ Toy Show Appeal began in 2020 and was inspired by the story of the late Saoirse Ruane from Kiltullagh, Galway, who - along with her beloved teddy Slush - captivated viewers with her appearance on The Late Late Toy Show.

The recipients of the four largest sums from the Toy Show Appeal this year were: Exchange House, Ireland's National Travellers Service (€140,000), The Crann Centre CLG, which supports people with neuro-physical disabilities (€140,000), The Jack and Jill Children's Foundation (€140,000) and Women's Aid (€95,000).