Youth embark on challenge to spread feelgood factor across Limerick city

YOUNG people in Limerick yesterday embarked on a challenge to generate a new feelgood factor about the city and its attributes.

A group of city business people have joined forces with Limerick Youth Service and local rugby heroes for the Living for the City mission.

The project is the brainchild of Niall Colgan who employs 50 at his Bellissimo hair stylist studio.

He said: “We want to restore pride in Limerick people, through the great younger generation involved with the Limerick Youth Service. All the committee, which includes a wide range of other young business people, intend to make their mark on the project and are pinning their flag to the mast of Limerick city, declaring their believe in its future and their absolute loyalty and love for every part of it.”

Ireland and Munster rugby star David Wallace will be the Living for the City ambassador.

He said: “One of the hopes of the project is to paint Limerick in a better light and its many positives, and create a synergy between the Limerick Youth Service, business and sport. It’s got to be a great idea.”

Entertainment events are being lined up as part of the Living for the City programme as well as a massive triathlon at the UL sports arena during the May bank holiday Riverfest weekend.

Events will help funding for Limerick Youth Service which caters for young people in Limerick city and county.

Catherine Kelly, director of the youth service, said their programmes cost in the region of €5 million to fund each year.

Founded by the late Sr Joan Bowles in 1973, working on her own, it now employs more than 100 staff.

Ms Kelly said: “More than ever in these challenging times we need to advocate on behalf of young people we deal with.

“We work with over 3,000 young people through various programmes and we’re extremely grateful to Limerick for City for the confident, enthusiasm and support it is offering.”

Maurice Walsh, manager of youth work programmes at Limerick Youth Service, said the Living for the City will engage young people with well motivated and successful individuals from business in sport in the city.

He said: “It will unleash the talents of our young people with fantastic role models from the business and sporting community who are in a very generous way offering something back to the young people of Limerick city and county. It will help raise the profile of Limerick Youth Service and help raise funds to run our various programmes.