Credit unions launch grant scheme for special services

EXTRAORDINARY works by organisations looking after people with special needs will be rewarded with up to €40,000 under a grants scheme launched by the Irish League of Credit Unions.

League president Uel Adair said credit unions, as longtime leaders in the community, wanted to make a substantial contribution to services provided for those who have special needs.

“We want to recognise and reward the extraordinary unselfish works that such community groups do,” he declared at the launch of the €120,000 grant scheme in Dublin.

Paralympian Michael McKillop, who achieved a gold medal in Beijing last month, said the support by credit unions was encouraging.

“People with special needs have huge potential and deserve the chance to show it,” he said at the launch of the Credit Union Community Chest.

Managing director of Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia, Mary Davis, congratulated credit unions for making such a positive contribution to those in their communities with special needs.

Applications are invited from community organisations and groups that operate projects locally on a not-for-profit basis with the primary aim of providing tangible benefits to persons with special needs, including physical, sensory or intellectual disabilities.

The scheme is being run on a regional basis providing a €20,000 grant in Ulster, Munster, Leinster (excluding Dublin city and county), Connacht and Dublin (encompassing both the city and county).

An overall winner from one of the five regional winners will be chosen to receive an additional €20,000 grant. Applications should describe the aims and activities of the organisation and explain how it could benefit from a €20,000 grant and how it would use an additional grant of €20,000.

The official entry form must be used and is available from local credit unions and the league’s website — www.creditunion.ie. The closing date for entries is Friday, November 21.