Almost 50 local groups have received a share of €108,850 from this year’s SSE Airtricity community fund.
Each year, the energy company makes annual contributions to local projects in Co. Donegal through its Community Fund programme and Sponsored Walk.
These initiatives have provided over €1 million to local groups since 2007.
SSE Airtricity presented €58,196 to local groups on Tuesday, topping-up the €96,052 raised by community members from this year’s Sponsored Walk at Meentycat Wind Farm.
SSE Airtricity, Ireland’s largest provider of 100% green energy, has presented over €108,000 to community groups close to its Meentycat Wind Farm in Co. Donegal. Pictured are group representative with Seamus Herron, Service Manager SSE Anne Reynolds, Community Development Officer and Michelle Donnelly, SSE. (centre) Photo Clive Wasson
Wednesday 5th December: SSE Airtricity, Ireland’s largest provider of 100% green energy, has presented over €108,000 to community groups close to its Meentycat Wind Farm in Co. Donegal. Pictured are group representatives with seated from left Dermot McGuinness, Illistrin, FC, Ruth Blackburn, Raphoe Congregational Church, Seamus Herron, Service Manger SSE Anne Reynolds, Community Development Officer, Anne McKenna Glenfinn GAA and Paul Gallagher, Glenswilly GAA. Back from left are Joseph Gallinagh, Glenswilly NS, Coulter Blackburn, Raphoe Congregational Church, Seamus Lynch, Ballybofey United, Derek Roulston, Ballybofey United,Bernard Walsh, Gleneely NS, Camilils Mulcahey, Robert Emmett, Sean McGuinness, Letterkenny Rugby Club, Allen McCrea, Letterkenny Rugby Club, Ciarán Mac Ruaidhrí, Gairmscoil Chú Uladh, Robin Henderson, Stranorlar Presbyterian Church, Jack Neilands, Stranorlar Presbyterian Church and Brian Anderson, Twin Towns Boxing Club. Photo Clive Wasson
The following day, Wednesday 5 December, the firm awarded a further €50,384 for 13 local projects through its Community Fund. Both presentations took place in the Villa Rose Hotel in Ballybofey.
A large number of this year’s Community Fund recipients are putting the funding towards improving their energy efficiency measures, which SSE Airtricity strongly supports.
Glenswilly National School will have new windows fitted, while Ballybofey United Football Club will improve insulation at their clubhouse.
Glenswilly GAA Club and Letterkenny RFC will benefit from the installation of solar panels and Illistrin Football Club will replace its old storage heaters.
Elsewhere CLG Ghleann Fhinne and Robert Emmet’s GAA will enjoy new pitch lighting in the seasons ahead, while LED lighting upgrades were supported at Raphoe Congregational Church and Stranorlar Presbyterian Church.
Twin Towns Boxing Club have received funding towards the installation of a defibrillator and training on appropriate use.
Anne Reynolds, SSE Airtricity, Community Development Officer, with Derek Roulston and Seamus Lynch, Ballybofey United Football Club as they show the new build making the most efficient use of energy underway at their pitch. Photo Clive Wasson
Anne Reynolds, SSE Airtricity Community Development Officer, said: “With our biggest ever Sponsored Walk this year, the walkers raised an incredible €96,000 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 €58,196 to support the groups. We also presented a further €50,384 from this year’s Meentycat Community Fund to 13 forward-thinking and important community projects.
Ms Reynolds added: “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.
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