Three charities based in Galway have been gifted donations of over €1,000 each as part of the Movement for Good awards, set up by insurance company Ecclesiastical.
Mutts Anonymous Dog Rescue & Adoption, Galway Cat Rescue and Saint Nicholas Collegiate Church are the local charities set to receive money, following overwhelming public support from around the county.
The awards will see a total of over €1 million given to 26 charities across the island of Ireland this summer, after members of the public were invited to nominate causes close to their hearts.
In total, 253,879 people supported the Movement for Good awards this year, with over 13,695 charitable causes from all areas of both countries receiving nominations.
The 500 winning charities across Ireland and Britain were picked at random from those nominated.
Thanking supporters in County Galway, David Lane, Managing Director of Ecclesiastical Ireland, said: “In these unprecedented times more than ever charities need all the help they can get and we, at Ecclesiastical, are eager to bring some hope to those helping our communities.
“Luckily, so many joined once again our Movement for Good.
“Irish people care deeply about good causes in their local area, and from looking at the nominations, animal welfare and community organisations seemed to hold a particularly fond place in the hearts of Galway people.
“As our core purpose is to contribute to the greater good of society, charitable giving is at the heart of our business. We know the difference that €1,000 can make, and this year is no exception to celebrate the incredible work that charities do in our country.”
Later this summer, a further ten charities will also be chosen by a panel of judges to receive €50,000 to be put towards the advancement of education, skills, arts, culture and heritage, as well as citizenship or community development.
From 15 June, charities are invited to apply for the substantial grant with applications being assessed against four key areas; impact and effectiveness, sustainability, innovation, and care and compassion.
The successful charities will be announced from Monday 21 September 2020.
The 26 charities in Ireland to be awarded are:
· Samaritans of Ennis and Clare
· My Lovely Horse Animal Rescue Company Limited by Guarantee
· Down Syndrome Ireland
· Active Connections CLG
· Mutts Anonymous Dog Rescue & Adoption
· Accessible Counselling Tullamore Company Limited by Guarantee
· Wicklow SPCA
· Canteen Ireland
· Breakthrough Cancer Research
· Seal Rescue Ireland Limited by Guarantee
· Camera Education CLG
· Protestant Aid
· Galway Cat Rescue
· Embrace Farm Company Limited by Guarantee
· Saint Nicholas Collegiate Church
· Cork Arc Cancer Support House
· Masquerade Ball Rainbow Club Company Limited by Guarantee
· Women’s Aid Antrim, Ballymena, Carrickfergus, Lame and Newtownabbey
· First Housing Aid & Support Services
· Via Wings
· Journey Community Church, Antrim
· We are Made for More
· Pips Hope & Support Limited
· The Michaela Foundation
· Crossfire Trust
· Larchfield Community Development Association
