Community projects receive €80k boost

KBC Bank Ireland has announced that 28 projects have received €80,000 in funding as part of its Bright Ideas initiative which aims to support groups and individuals who are making a difference in their communities.

The winning projects address issues such as social isolation and food waste, promote positive learning and development through literacy, sports and play and support the vulnerable. They include:

- Scoil Oilibhear in Ballyvolane, Cork (€10,000) which will build an activity trail/playground, creating a new recreation space for 700 pupils.

- The Tribesmen Rowing Club in Galway (€3,500) to purchase special equipment to help breast cancer survivors learn how to row as part of a new recovery programme on the Corrib.

- Social enterprise FoodCloud (€10,000) will have an e-car for a year to redistribute surplus food to more than 40 charities in Dublin city, securing food donation deliveries for charities who find it harder to organise collections in the evenings and on weekends.

- St Gabriel’s School & Centre in Dooradoyle, Limerick (€9,000), will now be able to buy specialised play equipment for an outdoor sensory playground for children with multiple physical disabilities. The space will be designed to support the children’s communication skills, social, emotional and psychological development.

Head of banking and marketing at KBC Bank Ireland Aidan Power said the level of creativity shown by the projects was impressive.

“We launched our Bright Ideas initiative earlier this year as a way of supporting those who are making a real difference in our communities. We were really heartened and impressed by the level of commitment and creativity shown by the concepts submitted, where volunteers are developing unique and innovative projects to benefit others.”