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€4,000 Shared Between Youth Groups At Credit Union Awards

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Members of Spa Road Youth Development from left, Leann Moriarty: Giorgina O'Really, Niamh Brosnan, Michaela Brosnan, Shannon McInerney. Photo by Gavin O'Connor
Members of Spa Road Youth Development who received an award. From left; Leann Moriarty, Georgina O’Reilly, Niamh Brosnan, Michaela Brosnan and Shannon McInerney. Photo by Gavin O’Connor

THIRTEEN Youth Groups from Tralee, Castleisland and surrounding areas received €4,000 in funds at this year’s Credit Union Youth Union Community Awards Night on Monday.

This was a joint initiative between Tralee Credit Union and Kerry Diocesan Youth Service (K.D.Y.S.) a charity supporting young people which aims to get young people actively participating in the development of their own communities.

Young people are encouraged to apply for funding towards community projects in their local area. Since its formation in 2011, a total of €14,000 has been awarded to youth projects that have made a significant contribution to their communities.

“Youth Union is a great opportunity to educate our students on the responsibility of money management, budgeting and business skills and also to generate much needed funds to youth projects throughout the community,” said Kathleen Higgins, KDYS.

Orla O’Shea, Youth Development, Tralee Credit Union said: “We are delighted with this year’s response to Youth Union. A wide selection of youth projects have benefitted from funding here tonight which we hope will be enjoyed by everyone. It’s great to see so many youth groups doing so much active work for their own communities”.

The winners in the Tralee and surrounding area were:

• Shanakill Family Resource Centre- Come dine with me evening for the local community.

• Spa Road and Balloonagh Girls Group- Family Fun Day in Ballyrickard Court.

• Chill Zone Youth Group- Christmas Wreaths for the Mitchels Area.

• Smartzone – plant up all around KDYS Tralee.

• Spa National School Council- Family Fun Day in honour of past pupil Donal Walsh.

• Duisigh Youth Group- develop a street theatre for a performance in Tralee town this summer that will highlight the issues of social media.

• Don’t Go With the Flo- Mercy Mounthawk Students on a project that looks at the level of fluoride people are digesting and their plan to inform the wider community on how to reduce their exposure.

• KDYS Leaving Cert Aplied- planters for new courtyard areas in Baile Mhuire.

Scroll down for more photos…

front row, from left: Geraldine Hennessy (Shanakill Family Resource Centre), Tom Lawlor (Chairman Tralee Credit Union), Gemma O'Brian (Manager of KDYS), Catriona Browne (Youth Union Representative), Back row from left: Martin Burns (Smart Zone KDYS) Selena Coffey (KDYS), Thomas White (Shanakill Family Resource Centre) Ackie O'Rourke (...), Michaela Brosnan (Spa Road Youth Development) Shannon McInerney (Spa Road Youth Development), Hannah Hennessy (Youth Union Representative), Dara Rohan. Photo by Gavin O'Connor
At the awarding of funds on Monday in the Fels Point Hotel were; front row, from left: Geraldine Hennessy (Shanakill Family Resource Centre), Tom Lawlor (Chairman Tralee Credit Union), Gemma O’Brien (Manager of KDYS), Catriona Browne (Youth Union Representative),.Back row from left: Martin Burns (Smart Zone KDYS) Selena Coffey (KDYS), Thomas White (Shanakill Family Resource Centre) Aki O’Rourke, Michaela Brosnan (Spa Road Youth Development) Shannon McInerney (Spa Road Youth Development), Hannah Hennessy (Youth Union Representative), and Dara Rohan. Photo by Gavin O’Connor
Members of Shanakill Family Resource Centre were, from left: Geraldine Hennessy, Catriona O'Brian, Samantha Ward, Nicole Casey, Geraldine Walsh, Kate Lynch Healy, Thomas White. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.
Members of Shanakill Family Resource Centre were, from left: Geraldine Hennessy, Catriona O’Brien, Samantha Ward, Nicole Casey, Geraldine Walsh, Kate Lynch Healy and Thomas White. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Members of Smart Zone KDYS from left, Martin Burke, Sharon Williams, Anthony Burke. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.
Members of Smart Zone KDYS from left; Martin Burke, Sharon Williams and Anthony Burke. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.

The winners in the Castleisland and surrounding area were:

• Our Fight for Positive Thinking: A bench to be erected in the River Walk area of Castleisland beside An Riocht Running Track.

• Knocknagoshel Youth Group- pantomime/nativity play at Christmas for the children.

• Firies Youth Group- decorate the area of Marion Hall and development of a summer programme for its members.

• Brosna National School Green Schools Committee- plant flowers/shrubs on approach road to the school and place window boxes on windows at the front of the school.

• Loughfounder National School- Couch to 5K. the aim of the programme is to improve the health and fitness of parents, teachers, students and members of the wider community.