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Con Horgan of the National Circus Festival.
THE Kerry Diocesan Youth Service and National Circus Festival are among five Kerry organisations named as winners in the first ever National Lottery Good Causes Awards.
The awards honour the inspiring work of thousands of projects, clubs and individuals all over Ireland with the help of Good Causes funding. Nearly 30 cent of every euro spent on National Lottery games goes back to Good Causes, which has a big impact on communities across the country.
The Kerry County winners are:
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Sport: Finuge Freehweelers Cycling Club
The Finuge Freewheelers is an innovative cycling club based in North Kerry catering for all ages and abilities. Good Causes funding allowed it buy indoor turbo training equipment which allows members train in the winter.
Health & Wellbeing: Ard Churam Day Care Centre
Ard Chúram is a new purpose built Day Care Centre for older people which runs a four-day service catering for the older population of North Kerry every week. Good Causes funding helped kick start the project and give the volunteers the drive and confidence to undertake such a large scale development.
Heritage: Sol Save Our Laune
This project involved a survey of nine invasive plant species on the rivers and lakes in the Laune-Maine catchment area as part of an event for Heritage week. Good Causes funding allowed buy equipment, including waders, for each volunteer.
Arts & Culture: National Circus Festival
The National Circus Festival lights up Tralee every November with theatre, clowns, aerial, fun, laughter, skill and absurdity! Good Causes funding has allowed the circus source the finest contemporary performers on the planet and to train, upskill and inspire Irish-based circus performers.
Youth: Kerry Diocesan Youth Service
The Kerry Diocesan Youth Service is at the heart of community life in Kerry supporting over 6,000 young people and over 420 volunteers across the County. Good Causes funding has helped deliver various programmes including one targeted at those at risk of non-transfer from 6th class to secondary school.
These winners will represent Kerry in the West Regional finals, competing for a place in the National Finals in Dublin on November 3rd.
Broadcaster and entrepreneur Bobby Kerr, Chair of the Judging panel, said; “The competition is fierce in the National Lottery Good Causes Awards. The standard of entries is really impressive. I congratulate all of the County Winners and look forward to seeing Kerry competing in the Regional Finals next month.”
Each category winner will receive €10,000 and the overall Good Cause of the Year will receive an additional €25,000. The full list of County Winners can be found at www.lottery.ie/goodcausesawards
