Three community groups in Westmeath got a welcome boost this week with the announcement that they are to receive funding from the EBS Community Fund.
Some €1,000 in funding was shared among three different community groups in the county; Day Care Centre for the elderly, Athlone; St Brigid’s Special Needs School, Mullingar; and St Colman's National School, Bellview, Mullingar.
The Westmeath groups were included in 128 local initiatives around the country which received funding this week, bringing the total number of causes to receive support this year to 282. To date €145,000 has been spread among communities around Ireland.
Commenting on the funding they received from the EBS Community Fund, Bob Keating of St Brigid’s Special Needs School said: “St Brigid’s Special Needs School is delighted to be benefitting from this round of the EBS Community Fund. The money received from EBS is going to go towards the development and building of a playground. We’d like to thank all those who nominated us for funding and we’d like to thank EBS and the judging panel for making us winners!”
The EBS Community Fund was set up in 2008 to assist charities and community groups nationwide to continue their vital work, and was rolled out by the building society’s offices nationwide. The fund calls on communities around the country to make a difference and nominate causes they deem worthy of funding. There is no limit as to who can be nominated and entries have flooded in to support summer camps, sports clubs, community centres, and care services for the elderly. Nominations are submitted to the local EBS branch and a group of representative members and staff award the funding.
Speaking as the funding was announced, Aidan Power, head of marketing, EBS said: “EBS Building Society would like to thank all of the people in Westmeath and around Ireland who took the time to nominate their local causes for this year’s EBS Community Fund. All over the country, people are working in societies, committees, organisations, clubs, or centres to improve their local communities. Their commitment is commendable. I’d like to also congratulate the 282 organisations who have received funding from EBS Community Fund this year. I hope the funding helps in some way for you to continue the services you are providing and I look forward to hearing the stories of how the money was used.”
For further information about the EBS Community Fund log onto www.ebs.ie, or call into your local EBS office in Westmeath at Unit 24 Golden Island Shopping Centre, Athlone, tel (090 ) 6472635; or 60 Pearse Street, Mullingar, tel (044 ) 9348208.
