St Columba's Primary share in Lottery grant

The small grants programme is awarding 3,395 to St Columba’s Primary School as part of a grants roll-out of 611,560 to 75 groups across Northern Ireland.

Awards for All offers community, voluntary and statutory groups the chance to apply for small grants of between 500 and 10,000 that will have a big impact on local communities and the lives of people most in need.

The primary school, based on the Boleran Road in Garvagh, is using the grant to turn a run-down, overgrown area in their grounds into a vibrant pond and wildlife are to be enjoyed by pupils and the local community.

Teacher Elizabeth McGilligan explained that the Conservation Volunteers will work with the school’s pupils, staff, and parents to carry out planting, digging and restructuring work to create a thriving outdoor space.

“The school’s current pond and wildlife area were created about 15 years ago, but the staff that created them have moved on and they haven’t been looked after for a while,” said Elizabeth. “As a result they have become overgrown and are really in need of some conservation work.

“It’s a great space and we are going to transform it into something that everyone can enjoy. We are trying to become an Eco School, a UK-wide award given to schools that show they are environmentally friendly, and this project will help us achieve that.

“The area will mean we can hold classes out of doors, give children hands on experience of plants and wildlife, and show them that it’s important to respect the natural environment.

“We have created an eco-committee that includes pupils from each class in the school from P3 up, and they will have a say in everything that goes into the garden and all the work that is done.

She continued: “We are also going to organise a Growing Club that parents, pupils and members of the local community can get involved in. We hope to have willow seating, and plan to grow a range of fruit, veg and flowers. There will also be a herb walk and special butterfly garden.

“This project is improving the health of our pupils, getting them into the open air, teaching them about the natural world and encouraging them to eat healthy, fresh produce. It’s going to be brilliant and we can’t wait!”

Frank Hewitt, Big Lottery Fund NI Chair, said: “The Big Lottery Fund’s NI Awards for All programme funds projects that help people bring about positive change in their lives, improve health and well-being, develop skills and create safer communities.

“Groups across Northern Ireland can now apply for more funding from the programme. You can now apply for Lottery cash of up to 20,000 in a 12-month period to organise projects, but a group can only hold one award of up to 10,000 for a project at any one time, and the organisation must have spent the grant before applying for more funding.”

Application forms and guidance notes are available to download at www.awardsforall.org.uk.

For more details call us on 028 9055 1455, or e-mail us at [email protected]