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.
Announcing the Waterford winners. National Lottery CEO, Dermot Griffin, said: “We were bowled over by the calibre of entries and the impact that these organisations are having in their local communities. We know that these groups are doing extraordinary things and the Good Causes awards recognize and celebrate their achievements.”
The Waterford winners are:
- Sport: Park Rangers AFC
One of the largest rural clubs in Ireland Park Rangers AFC provides football training to 355 male and female members aged from two years upwards. Good Causes funding supported providing facilities for wheelchair users including parking spaces, wheel chair accessible toilets and showers and changing facility and ramps to the clubhouse.
- Health & Well Being: Down Syndrome Ireland
The Waterford and South Kilkenny Branch of Down Syndrome Ireland supports people with Down Syndrome and their families in the region. Thanks to Good Causes funding it runs The Latch On programme which provides literacy learning for those with Down syndrome after formal-schooling years.
- Heritage: Waterford County Museum Gallows Hill Project
This is a community heritage project aimed at reclaiming Gallows Hill, a forgotten piece of land which had been attracting anti-social behavior. Supported by Good Causes funding the project is bringing heritage and history into the heart of the community and developing a positive sense of local pride of place.
- Arts & Culture: Waterford Healing Trust
Waterford Healing Arts Trust (WHAT) is bringing arts experiences to the bedsides of patients at University Hospital Waterford (UHW) and other healthcare settings, including a live music programme on the wards and art sessions. Good Causes funding helped fund Iontas Arts, a mental health programme which supports the recovery and rehabilitation of mental health service users.
- Community: Waterford Intellectual Disability Association
Waterford Intellectual Disability Association (WIDA) is a community based voluntary provider of services for adults and children with an intellectual disability and/or autism in Waterford City and County. Good Causes funding has made a significant impact to the upkeep and expansion of services within WIDA.
- Youth: Mount Sion Choir
Mount Sion Choir is a talented group based in a small DEIS school in the heart of Waterford City which did not have music or art as subjects. Good Causes funding helped get the choir up and running and hire a guitar teacher to teach the students.
These winners will represent Waterford in the South 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, concluded “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 Waterford competing in the Regional Finals next month.”
Each category winner will received €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.
