RTÉ Toy Show appeal gives funding boost to Westmeath and Roscommon projects
A science education initiative in Westmeath and a mental health support service in Roscommon were among the 169 projects to receive grant funding from the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal this year.
The generosity shown by viewers of last December's Late Late Toy Show saw donations of €5 million being pledged, and the recipients from the fund this year have been announced in recent days.
Locally Midlands Science, whose CEO is Athlone woman Jackie Gorman, was awarded €13,500 from the Toy Show Fund towards 'Making Sense with Science'.
This is a programme which "helps young people develop critical thinking skills to understand science and discern evidence in the media and online".
A description of the programme added that it has "a particular focus on those from disadvantaged communities".
In Roscommon, meanwhile, Venture Out Wilderness Project CLG was awarded €18,000 from the Toy Show Fund towards its "Unearth one to one support service".
This "helps young people manage and overcome the challenges they face through their engagement in a range of fun, educational and challenging outdoor based adventure and youth work focused activities".
Other Midlands projects to receive funding support included Clara Community & Family Resource Centre, which was granted €15,000 for its 'Planet Youth' project to "continue employing a youth worker to engage marginalised teens in relevant programmes and themes."
The centre also plans to "provide adolescent and play therapy sessions to young people".
The RTÉ Toy Show Appeal began in 2020 and was inspired by the story of the late Saoirse Ruane from Kiltullagh, Galway, who - along with her beloved teddy Slush - captivated viewers with her appearance on The Late Late Toy Show.
The recipients of the four largest sums from the Toy Show Appeal this year were: Exchange House, Ireland's National Travellers Service (€140,000), The Crann Centre CLG, which supports people with neuro-physical disabilities (€140,000), The Jack and Jill Children's Foundation (€140,000) and Women's Aid (€95,000).