An Armagh-based group has received a cash award to help set up a hub on the River Callan for local schools and the wider community.
The Friends of the Callan River is one of three to share in a pay-out of over £13,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund.
The three – Craigavon Samaritans, Friends of the Call River and SVP St Patrick’s Conference – receive the money for their work on projects supporting the health, well-being and quality of life of people in their communities.
Friends of the Callan River, based in Armagh, is using a £1,231 grant to furnish their newly-built hub with tables, chairs and whiteboards.
The hub is being used to educate young people from local schools and the wider community on the importance of maintaining and improving this natural resource in their area and encourage them to care for the local environment.
Craigavon Samaritans is using a £9,976 grant to continue providing their services, including their telephone helpline to people experiencing distress. The project helps improve mental health and wellbeing which is expected to be significantly impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.
SVP St Patrick’s Conference, based in Armagh, is using a grant of £2,400 to deliver a 10-week healthy cooking programme, targeted at people on lower incomes, to demonstrate how to make healthy and nutritious meals at a relatively low cost for their families during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The project teaches those involved how to make healthier decisions, improve confidence in the kitchen as well as easing some of their financial pressures.
Kate Beggs, Northern Ireland Director of The National Lottery Community Fund said: “The projects funded all demonstrate 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.
“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 by buying tickets is continuing to make such a difference.”
