Bankers hail citycommunity groups

Caroline Lynch and Catriana Daughty from Learmount Community Development Group in Claudy joined representatives from groups across Northern Ireland at the event.

The group received a grant of £15,000 from the Lloyd’s TSB Foundation for Northern Ireland in 2011 to develop and maintain a variety of services for the rural Park community.

This was year four of a six year programme which totals £100,000 to each organisation.

It is just one of 533 organisations that have received total funding of almost £1.8 million for their work in the community.

Also present was Elaine Porteous project manager of CALMS (Community Action for Locally Managing Stress) in Londonderry which received £4,750 towards its FOCUS Project for older people.

And Noreen Sweeney and Kathleen Doherty from the Northern Ireland Newpin family support group from the Waterside area also attended the event.

The organisation received funding of £2,120 towards helping ten women with mental health problems.

Sandara Kelso-Robb, Executive Director of the Lloyd’s TSB Foundation for Northern Ireland, said: “The groups present here today represent the best of Northern Ireland. “They are made up of dedicated volunteers working hard, often without recognition, to provide vital facilities and services for people of all ages in the local community. Without financial support, these groups simply would not exist.

“We are continuing to meet the escalating needs of the local community by funding these groups and are delighted to celebrate another successful year of investment in important projects that are making a difference to so many lives.”

Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland said: “I would like to pay tribute to Lloyd’s TSB Foundation for Northern Ireland for their support of so many local community organisations.

“The Foundation has supported almost 6,000 local charities across Northern Ireland over the past 25 years. Last year their investment of almost £1.8 million enabled over 500 grassroots charities and organisations to reach out and help meet the needs of the most disadvantaged in society. I hope the foundation will continue to support our local charities and the work they do in our community.”

The Lloyd’s Banking Group Ambassador for Northern Ireland, Mr Jim McCooe stated: “We are proud of our relationship with the Foundation and look forward to many more years of working with them to support charities across Northern Ireland.”