National Lottery Charities Board Northern Ireland

Charities Board funding tops �80 million in Northern Ireland

The National Lottery Charities Board has announced another �2.9 million of funding to charitable groups across Northern Ireland. Since the establishment of the Charities Board in Northern Ireland in 1995 just over �80 million has been allocated to local groups.

26 groups will benefit from the awards which will support a wide range of causes including deaf groups, youth groups, groups for older people, groups of carers, community groups and homeless people.

The biggest single award, of �311,567, goes to Omagh Community House to help with an ambitious project to build on the site of the devastating bomb of 1998. This project will provide accommodation for a range of community and voluntary organisations. When completed this will be a landmark building costing, in total, �1.6 million.

The Community House will act as a 'one-stop-shop' for the community providing a wide range of services to the disabled, the elderly, long-term unemployed, women, young people, people on low incomes, lone parents, ethnic minorities and children and families. Symbolically, the building will be a lasting and fitting memorial to the victims of the Omagh bomb with a foyer dedicated to the victims. It will serve as a centre for hope, reconciliation and peace for the community.

Mr Conor McGale, Secretary of Omagh Community House said,

"This is a fantastic way to begin the New Year. The donation will go a huge way in fulfilling this unique vision for the local community, as well as enabling the public to have access to a number of vital services within the one location. The community building and the Foyer of Reflection will serve as a shining example of community, business and statutory body co-operation, despite the most porvocative attempt at perpetuating division."

People affected by Down's Syndrome have also received a cash boost of �316,000 through support for two projects working with people in different age groups.

Firstly, Foyle Down's Syndrome Trust, based in Londonderry, has been awarded �190,744. The money awarded will help them provide home based education for children with Down's Syndrome up to the age of 16 years. This initiative will supplement their mainstream education and offer a range of possible activities.

Secondly, the Belfast based, Down's Syndrome Association has received a grant of �125,354. Its project will focus on the needs of adults and older people with Down's Syndrome and will promote their involvement in their communities.

Another large award went to the Multi-Cultural Resource Centre that works with minority ethnic communities throughout Northern Ireland. The centre has been awarded �254,000 to help combat isolation among individuals and among minority ethnic communities.

The Director of the National Lottery Charities Board in Northern Ireland, Ann McLaughlin, spoke of her admiration for the work of all of the groups who received funding;

"The Charities Board is pleased to be able to make a contribution to the hard work and dedicated service offered by so many voluntary organisations throughout Northern Ireland. We will continue to offer support to those at greatest disadvantage in society and to improve the quality of life of those in greatest need."

For further information please contact either Sally Gardiner of Future Image on 9042 3314 or Eimear Murphy at the National Lottery Charities Board on 9055 1455.

Alternatively full listings of all awards made can be found via our website on www.nlcb.org.uk

Note to Editors

1. The National Lottery Charities Board is an independent body set up by Parliament to distribute funds to support charitable, benevolent and philanthropic organisations.
2. The Charities Board receives 4.7pence from every �1 spent on the Lottery.
3. Capital and revenue grants are available to fund projects that help meet the needs of those at greatest disadvantage in society and to improve the quality of life of the community.
4. Decisions on grants are made by the members in grant making committees for England, Wales, Scotland, N Ireland and the United Kingdom as a whole.