Jim Henson from Assumption Road Jadotville Group with Dolores Walsh and Padraig Higgins from Willow Park Residents Association at the Athlone Credit Union Community Support Fund presentation event.

Plethora of local groups benefit from Athlone CU community fund

A TOTAL of 25 community groups have received funding of €29,130 in all from the inaugural Athlone Credit Union community support fund at a special presentation ceremony in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Athlone on April 11 last.

The primary objective of the community support fund is to support the development and delivery of worthwhile projects to the benefit of members and the local community in the Athlone common bond area.

The community groups who received funding are Castlesampson NS, Cloonakilla N.S, Monksland Active retirement, Order of Malta – Athlone, Matsubayashi Shorin Ryu Ireland, Athlone Hockey Club, Athlone GAA, St Brigid’s GAA Club, Athlone Tennis Club Ltd, Garrycastle GAA Club, Willow Park FC, RNLI Lough Ree Lifeboat Station, Athlone Canal Heritage committee, Willow Park Residents Association, Athlone District Girl Guides, Athlone Community Radio, Athlone Sub Aqua, Midlands Simon Community, ATK Community Centre, Athlone Family Resource Centre, Monksland Community CLG, Athlone (Midlands) Rape Crisis Centre, 2nd Westmeath Scout Group and Assumption Rd Residents Association.

“We were delighted to support community and volunteer-led groups in our area and we know that the funding will come as welcome support. We are very proud of our ethos of social responsibility and community development here at Athlone Credit Union and we are looking forward to seeing all of these projects develop in the coming months,” Michael Evans, CEO of Athlone Credit Union said.

Speaking at the presentation, Tony Gannon, Chair of the Community Support Fund Committee for Athlone Credit Union added that these funds will be of huge benefit to the community clubs and charity organisations. “The funding will ensure that they can continue the important work they do in the community. We hope that this community support fund will continue to help support and grow the community spirit in Athlone.”

As a local, member-owned co-operative now offering full current account services, Athlone Credit Union has a strong commitment to supporting the local community. Since 1966, Athlone Credit Union have affirmed this commitment not only by the credit union's willingness to provide loan funding to such groups, but also by providing donations to a wide range of community, cultural, charity, and sports groups to help fund their activities.