Pictured at the announcement of the 2026 Lauri Healy Community Sponsorship Awards were, front from left; Mary Kiernan, Transition Kerry, Sean Roche, Chairperson of Cara Credit Union’s Community Sponsorship Committee, Aniel Breen Kingdom Boxing Academy, Sean Achán, Scoil an Ghleanna and Mary Sheehy, Kerry Women’s Resource Centre. Back from left; Siobhan Donnelly, Marketing Manager at Cara Credit Union, Katie Walsh, Cara CU Tralee Branch Manager, Tom Lawlor, Cara CU board member, Mark Hussey, Chief Operations Officer Cara CU, Mary Browne Fenit RNLI , Philip Lynch Marketing Officer Cara Credit Union and Teresa MacKenna Cara Credit Union Dingle. Photo By : Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTDCara Credit Union continues to demonstrate its strong commitment to supporting vibrant local communities through the Lauri Healy Community Sponsorship Awards with five organisations benefitting this year.
Since its establishment in 2017, the programme has provided meaningful financial support to a wide range of community-led initiatives across the Cara Credit Union common bond area, helping organisations turn valuable ideas into impactful projects.
These awards reflect the credit union’s ongoing dedication to improving the lives of its members and making a positive difference within the wider community.
Continued below…
The 2026 award recipients represent a diverse range of impactful projects:
• Kingdom Boxing Academy – Funding will support the purchase of essential equipment and critical hall repairs, enabling the club to continue its important work while enhancing training facilities for its members.
• Fenit RNLI – Funding will assist in training the rescue team for a new lifeboat and preparing it for operational readiness, as well as supporting safety equipment and transition costs to help ensure the continued saving of lives at sea.
• Kerry Women’s Resource Centre – Funding will support a community-based initiative in Tralee that provides a safe and welcoming space for women to reconnect, build confidence, and foster a sense of belonging through wellbeing programmes and creative activities.
• Transition Kerry – Funding will support the development and maintenance of community allotments used by a wide range of groups, including older people, school students, and individuals with disabilities.
• Scoil an Ghleanna – Funding will contribute to the creation of a dedicated Special Education Teaching (SET) room, alongside upgrades to digital and small-group learning facilities, supporting the school in meeting the needs of its pupils.
Over the years, the Lauri Healy Community Sponsorship Awards have played a vital role in enabling community groups and charitable organisations to grow, innovate, and deliver services that benefit people across the region.
Speaking about the initiative, Sean Roche, Chairperson of Cara Credit Union’s Community Sponsorship Committee, highlighted the importance of giving back.
“Cara Credit Union recognises the trust and loyalty of our members, and we are proud to support projects that strengthen and enrich our communities. The Lauri Healy Community Sponsorship Awards allow us to invest in initiatives that complement the incredible work already being carried out by local groups, enhancing lives across Tralee, Castleisland, Killorglin, Ballyduff, Causeway, and Corca Dhuibhne.”
Siobhan Donnelly, Marketing Manager at Cara Credit Union, also reflected on the legacy behind the awards: “Lauri Healy, a founding director of Tralee Credit Union, devoted decades of service to its development and played a significant role in supporting the wider credit union movement throughout Kerry and beyond. These awards honour his legacy and continue his vision of community support and collaboration.”
