Groups getting share of lottery funding

This funding is part of £2.1million to more than 30 projects across Northern Ireland.

Rainbow Community Childcare, based in Eglish, is using a £10,000 grant to purchase equipment and resources including PPE to enable the Childcare Centre to reopen and provide a safe and caring environment for local children.

The funding is also being used to train staff on COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control and purchase PPE equipment.

Tamlaghtmore Silver band, based in Cookstown, is using a £1,100 grant to purchase secure filing cabinets to house their current music library. The new filing system helps create more space to facilitate socially distanced rehearsals as the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions are eased.

Also receiving funding is Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful who are using a £77,071 grant to run their ‘Food for Thought’ project which provides practical and environmental activities to boost community mental and physical health to people across Northern Ireland in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The money is being used to distribute resource packs to community groups including fruit growing kits, vegetable growing kits, tree growing kits, wildflower growing, catering for rural and urban growing locations as well as planting equipment and compost where needed.

The funding is also being used to develop the group’s website and to create online videos, how-to guides, toolkits and to host webinars for groups to learn how to use the packs correctly.

Kate Beggs, Northern Ireland Director of The National Lottery Community Fund said: “The wide range of projects funded demonstrates the strength of their members and communities and the importance of staying connected with each other in these unprecedented times.

“It’s inspiring to see all these groups, staff and volunteers rising to the challenges of COVID-19 and looking to the future, supporting people in need.

“These awards, made possible by National Lottery players, recognise the incredible work happening across Northern Ireland. National Lottery players can be proud to know that money they raise is continuing to make such a difference.”

Full updates from the organisation regarding its response to COVID-19, information on applying for grants and general contact details can be found on their website  - visit www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk.