SINCE the onset of Covid-19, global philanthropic network The Ireland Funds has provided €35,700 in funding to eight charitable causes in County Limerick. Support was provided through The Ireland Funds Covid-19 Response Fund, its emergency fund that provided immediate interventions and The Ireland Funds Heart of the Community Fund, which provides critical and timely funding to a wide range of not-for-profit organisations.
The Ireland Funds Covid-19 Response Fund provided support to the Children’s Grief Centre and the Learning Hub Limerick. Through The Ireland Funds Heart of the Community Fund, the following local organisations received support: Caherconlish Caherline Community Council, Croom Community Development Association, Dawn Court Daycare Centre CLG, Down Syndrome Limerick, The Haven Hub, and Kilmallock Performance Centre T/A Friars’ Gate Theatre.
Through its extensive global network, The Ireland Funds has harnessed the generosity of the Irish diaspora to assist charitable causes and communities hardest hit by the pandemic. The organisation is strategically embedded in the Irish charity sector and as a result donations were swiftly dispersed.
With limited resources and collapsing fundraising streams, many charities have struggled to deliver their services over the past 18 months. The Ireland Funds is strategically positioned within the non-profit sector and was able to swiftly identify and prioritise vital areas of impact including food distribution; disability support; domestic and child abuse; elderly services; access to education; mental health and community support.
As the country begins to recover from the pandemic, The Ireland Funds continues to support a huge variety of non-profits in the face of unprecedented challenges.
Carol Fitzgough from Children’s Grief Centre said: “Support from The Ireland Funds is vital for The Children’s Grief Centre that works with young children who have experienced loss through bereavement, separation or divorce. Since its opening, the Centre has supported over 1,400 children and pre-pandemic their trained psychotherapists and counsellors were meeting with 25-30 children each week for private sessions. Between December 2019 and 2020, their waiting list grew from 149 children to over 300 and is increasing due to the pandemic. Funding from The Ireland Funds has enabled the Centre to provide 120 activity packs to young people who are benefiting from their services.”
James Blake, CEO, the Learning Hub Limerick said: “Support from The Ireland Funds COVID-19 Response Fund is helping Learning Hub Limerick pivot to deliver its educational and mentorship programs in a secure, child-friendly and safe online environment. Hundreds of families, including many most in need of support, are benefiting.”
Darren Ryan, Vice President and Director Ireland of The Ireland Funds, said: “The Ireland Funds is proud to support the Limerick non-profit community with funds of €35,700 over the past 18 months through our Covid-19 Response Fund and the Heart of the Community Fund. The global diaspora has responded incredibly to the need in Limerick and also throughout Ireland. Despite not being able to travel to Ireland, it has stepped up to support great Irish causes through our global network.
“This generosity highlights the network of people around the world that are supporting Limerick and Ireland when we need it most. We are extremely grateful to the donors who have supported us. Much like the rest of the world, Ireland has faced unprecedented challenges over the past 18 months. Non-profit organisations on the island of Ireland have responded incredibly to the extreme challenges they have faced, continuing to provide essential services to those in need.”
