MOUNTSHANNON Community Council is the recipient of a €1,000 funding boost, as part of a nationwide campaign aimed at supporting stand-out community groups and clubs by local retailer Spar.
Patron of the Helping Hand Community Fund and Olympic gold medallist Katie Taylor was on hand at a gala event in Dublin recently to acknowledge Mountshannon Community Council on their success.
The SPAR Helping Hand Community Fund of €50,000 was launched earlier this year as part of the brand’s celebration of its 50th anniversary in Ireland. Funding recipients have been selected on the basis of their contribution to their local communities, along with their need for additional financial support.
Speaking about the funding, Tom McNamara of Mountshannon Community Council said, “We are delighted to accept this funding, which recognises our role in the local community and which will go a long way in helping us to provide this worthwhile service”.
Katie Taylor said “Mountshannon Community Council is obviously a cornerstone of their local community and that’s what the SPAR Helping Hand Community Fund awards are all about”.
Willie O’Byrne, managing director, BWG Foods, owners and operators of the SPAR brand in Ireland, said, “We recognise Mountshannon Community Council for their service to the local community. They are a deserved recipient of this funding and we congratulate them on the important role they play locally.”
Founded in 1981, the community council aims to make the area better for everyone who lives there. It is currently working on cleaning out local rivers so they can be restocked with trout. Volunteers have been cutting back bushes on river banks and clearing out streams and thanks to their efforts, the water quality and amount of fish in local rivers has already improved.
The Helping Hand Community Fund was awarded to clubs and groups across Ireland under five categories: Children and Youth; Community Services and Support; Heritage and Environment; Sport and Leisure; and Arts and Culture.
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.