Credit union sponsorship fund to mark 50 years

One of Cork’s largest credit unions has launched a €50,000 sponsorship fund to help celebrate its 50th anniversary.

The fund was announced yesterday by the board of Gurranabraher Credit Union, as part of a series of measures, special events, and member development initiatives to commemorate its founding in 1963.

The enhanced sponsorship programme will see the credit union making a €50,000 fund available to local clubs, societies, and groups.

A total of €26,000 in sponsorship has already been earmarked to 40 different local groups.

Other initiatives include:

na new small business loan scheme to provide support and credit to local businesses, which will be launched next Tuesday to coincide with a seminar for small businesses;

n a free monster bingo night, a darts competition, and a soccer competition;

na special Mass will be celebrated in the Church of the Ascension on May 19, where the credit union was first established, and from where it originally operated;

na board meeting will be held in the church basement;

nand a function will be held to honour the 50 longest serving members.

The special events were announced at the launch of the 50th anniversary celebrations during a function at the Commons Inn.

Among those who were in attendance at the launch was credit union manager Philip Hosford, chairman Denis Sheehan, as well as members of the board of directors.

“This is an important year for us,” Mr Sheehan said.

“Gurranabraher Credit Union has, whilst maintaining its core ethos and community basis, developed and progressed to be a key provider of quality financial services in the northside.

“We aim to use our 50th anniversary year to highlight to the people of the northside the range and quality of services we offer.”

Gurranabraher Credit Union has been providing financial services to its 15,000 members across the northside of Cork City for half a century.

It has total assets of €84m, processes some 500,000 transactions a year, and employs 21 staff at its two branches — Bakers Rd in Gurranabraher and Harbour View Rd in Knocknaheeny.

The credit union was established after a meeting on Apr 28, 1963, and was officially admitted as a member of the Irish League of Credit Unions on Dec 8, 1963.