Cork benefits from global fund
Six charitable causes across Cork have been helped by a global philanthropic network since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, it was revealed this week.
€29,000 was donated to the Cork non-profit organisations by The Ireland Funds through its Covid-19 Response Fund, an emergency fund that provided immediate interventions, and its Heart of the Community Fund which provides critical and timely funding to a wide range of not for profit organisations.
Active Connections GLC and Good Shepherd Cork were helped through Covid-19 Response Fund while through Heart of the Community Fund, Bandon Athletic Club, Cork Christian Trust, Midleton Meals on Wheels and Carrigaline Family Support Centre CLG received support.
Through its extensive global network, The Ireland Funds said it harnessed the generosity of the Irish diaspora to assist charitable causes and communities hardest hit by the pandemic.
The organisation is strategically embedded in the Irish charity sector and as a result donations were swiftly dispersed.
Ray Burke, CEO of Active Connections GLC said: “Active Connections is very grateful to The Ireland Funds for helping us support young people in the community with additional needs such as anxiety, intellectual disabilities, or those who are socioeconomically disadvantaged.
“Through a series of therapeutic programs and adventure-based activities, the organisation aims to avoid family, foster and residential care home placement break down. Funding from The Ireland Funds is allowing Active Connections to work with 120 young people with complex needs through their ‘Embers Activity Hub’, a digital space designed to provide a virtual and Covid-safe experience similar to their in-person activity camps.”
Allison Aldred from Good Shepherd Cork said: “Support from The Ireland Funds is ensuring that Good Shepherd Cork provides emergency shelter and services to families in crisis.
“Support is helping up to 100 families with safe accommodation, tablets for homeless children to access education, and other emergency supplies.”
Darren Ryan, Vice President and Director Ireland of The Ireland Funds, said: “The Ireland Funds is proud to support the Cork non-profit community with funds of €29,000 over the past 18 months through our Covid-19 Response Fund and the Heart of the Community Fund. The global diaspora has responded incredibly to the need in Cork and also throughout Ireland. Despite not being able to travel to Ireland, it has stepped up to support great Irish causes through our global network.”
Mr Ryan added: “This generosity highlights the network of people around the world that are supporting Cork and Ireland when we need it most. We are extremely grateful to the donors who have supported us. Much like the rest of the world, Ireland has faced unprecedented challenges over the past 18 months. Non-profit organisations on the island of Ireland have responded incredibly to the extreme challenges they have faced, continuing to provide essential services to those in need.”
The Ireland Funds has also supported a number of regional non-profit organisations based in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford, Longford, Leitrim, Belfast and Derry.
The Ireland Funds is a global philanthropic network established in 1976 to promote and support peace, culture and charity throughout the island of Ireland, and Irish-related causes around the world.