Whopping £240k given to Lurgan and Craigavon groups by new Goodyear Community Fund in its first year
In it’s first year Goodyear Community Fund has given almost quarter of a million pounds to local groups across the Lurgan and Craigavon area.
Following the sale of the Goodyear Social Club in 2024, the fund was set up with the proceeds to distribute much needed financial support grassroots organisation’s in the area.
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The original club ethos was to ensure a positive legacy promoting sport, arts, health & wellbeing and cross-community engagement.
A total of 77 applications were received, requesting £311,367.56. 58 applications were successful with at total of £241,277 awarded. Here are just some of them.
Successful applicants are encouraged to share as best as possible the benefits of the fund for their organisation.
“We plan to work with Community Foundation NI on a 2nd tranche of funding into 2027 and hopefully look favourably at those successful local community groups who delivered positive impacts this year.”
Among those benefiting was Aeon Community Arts ( £4,990) for a TEENSHED pilot in Lurgan for 50 young people aged 13-18, addressing drug abuse, knife crime and social isolation.
Bleary Farmers Hall Management Committee received £4,490 to help commemorate the 60th anniversary of the closure of Ballydougan Schoolhouse while Aghagallon Community Centre got £3,310 to promote the Aghagallon Enclosure, a significant Neolithic/Medieval monument.
Waringstown Cricket Club received £5k for a 12-month community cricket programme providing free inclusive sessions while Chrysalis Women's Centre received £5,000 to establisha community “She Shed” gardening and wellbeing space for disadvantaged women.
Lough Neagh Rescue also received £5,000 to acquire modern underwater search technology while Clan na Gael GAA received £4,962 for a supervised strength and conditioning programme for teenagers aged 13–18.
County Armagh Supercup NI Association got £5,000 to enable 36 young footballers aged 13–16 to participate in the SuperCup NI international youth tournament while Clann Eireann Youth Club received £4,998 to install of 80 fixed spectator seats at its North Lurgan GAA grounds.
Craigavon and Banbridge Volunteer Bureau got £2,470 for a 12-month health and wellbeing programme for 117 volunteers with disabilities, 10 volunteer mentors and carers. while Donacloney Football Club received £2,430 for training balls, match balls and foldable goals.
Just a Chat received £5,000 to provide free mental-health workshops while Craigavon Area Compassion Project received £5,000 for emergency food parcels for people most in need across greater Lurgan and Craigavon.
Tannaghmore Gardens Playgroup received £2,800 for resources for children with special educational needs and behavioural challenges while The Fitzone Foundation got £5,000 to update gym equipment and facility lighting.
Glenavon FC Academy received £3,959 for freestanding football goals to expand grassroots football provision and Goal Line Youth Trust got £1,810 to enable 40 members aged 19–25 with learning disabilities to participate in two Boccia matches and attend an ice hockey match in Belfast.
Knitted Knockers NI got £5,000 while Kyoujin BJJ Revolution Lurgan got £4,000 to help refurbishment and fit-out of newly leased premises for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu programmes.
Little Forget Me Nots Trust got £3,440 for a support programme for bereaved fathers while Lurgan BBOB FC got £5,000 to help attract younger players.
Lurgan Celtic FC and Lurgan Rugby Football and Cricket Club both got £5,000 while Lurgan YMCA got £4,200 and Seagoe Football Club got £5,000.
These are just some of this year’s recipients with bids for next year’s tranche starting soon.