SSE Airtricity, Ireland’s leading green energy provider, has presented over €104,000 to community groups close to its Meentycat Wind Farm in Co. Donegal.
The company makes annual contributions to local projects in Co. Donegal through its Community Fund programme and Sponsored Walk, with a total of nearly €940,000 awarded since 2007.
On Tuesday 5 December, the company presented €52,000 to local groups, topping-up the €63,000 raised by community members in this year’s Sponsored Walk at Meentycat Wind Farm.
The following day, Wednesday 6 December, the firm awarded a further €52,000 for 14 local projects through its Community Fund. Both presentations took place in the Villa Rose Hotel in Ballybofey.
The majority of this year’s Community Fund recipients are putting the funding towards improving their energy efficiency measures, which SSE Airtricity strongly supports.
Projects being supported range from fitting new windows or doors at Drumkeen United FC, Glenelly National School, Glenswilly National School and Stranorlar Scout Group, to cavity insulation at Raphoe Community Playgroup and Glenswilly GAA Club.
Anne Reynolds, SSE Airtricity Community Development Officer on Wednesday 6 December, presenting a further €52,000 for 14 local projects through its Community Fund. Seated from left are Martina Flannigan, Stranorlar Scouts, Brian Faul, Glenswilly GAA, Anne Reynolds SSE Airtricity, Alan McCrea. Letterkenny Rugby Club and Maggie Gilbert, Killygordon Cross Roads Youth Club. BAck from left are John McClure, Three Rivers Bee Keepers, Sarah Anne McMenamin, Stranorlar Scouts, Joanne Daragh, Raphoe Community Playgroup, Brian Anderson, Twin Towns Boxing Club, Sarah McMenamin, Raphoe Community Playgroup, Brenda McGeehan, Garmscoil Chú Uladh, Geaorid Melvin, Donegal Town Downs Syndrom Housing, Association, Marie Thompson, Gleneely National School, Joseph Gallinagh, Glenswilly National School, Willie Boyle, Drumkeen FC, Sean Bonner, Glenfinn GAA and Sean McGuiness, Letterkenny Rugby Club.
Photo Clive Wasson
Anne Reynolds, SSE Airtricity Community Development Officer, said:
“With our biggest ever Sponsored Walk this year, the walkers raised an incredible €63,000 for their own causes. With such a fantastic effort from the local community, we were delighted to be able to follow-up with an additional €52,000 to support the groups.
“We also presented a further €52,000 from this year’s Meentycat Community Fund to 14 forward-thinking and important community projects. As always, it’s great to see so much of the money going towards improvements in energy efficiency, which is a great way to secure long-term benefit for the community.”
SSE Airtricity’s Meentycat Wind Farm, and the adjoining Culliagh Wind Farm near Lifford, generate over 100MW of clean, green energy combined.
Anne Reynolds, Community Development Officer and Seamus Herron, Service Maanger SSE after presenting over €52,000 to local community groups. Photo Clive Wasson
