Other News In Brief

2024 Slieve Kirk Wind Park Community Fund Opens

SSE Renewables is encouraging community groups in County L'Derry to apply for the 2024 Slieve Kirk Wind Park Community Fund and make a local impact through renewable energy initiatives.

The fund, open for online applications from 17 June to 31 July 2024, has awarded more than £2.4m to worthwhile initiatives in the region since its launch in 2012, establishing it as one of the largest Community Benefit Funds in Northern Ireland.

This year, a total of £170,000 will be available to community initiatives, schools, charities and sports clubs within a 12-mile radius of Slieve Kirk Wind Park, with preference given to projects and organisations operating within a three-mile radius.

Groups whose activities focus on fostering social or environmental goals are eligible to apply. This includes community projects promoting sustainability, initiatives providing community-centred support and projects that enhance local infrastructure or improve health and safety standards in existing amenities, contributing to regeneration efforts in the area.

Last year saw over 60 different groups awarded funding. One such group was the Bovalley Community Association based near Limavady which delivers activities to improve the quality of life for the local community. An award of £8,000 from Slieve Kirk Community Fund enabled the group to engage with the KAST (Kids Are Stronger Together) project to support 132 children and increase services for young people.

Commenting on the impact of the funding, Janice McClay, Project Coordinator stated: "This funding enabled us to help children across our community that face barriers due to personal circumstances. I would encourage all eligible community organisations to apply to the 2024 Slieve Kirk Wind Park Community Fund. The application process couldn’t be more straightforward, and SSE Renewables community benefit team were very helpful along the way."

Vicky Boden, SSE Renewables Community Investment Manager, said: "At SSE Renewables, we are committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work. For over a decade the Slieve Kirk Community Benefit Fund has been instrumental in implementing a range of community focused sustainable initiatives, significantly improving local facilities and enhancing quality of life in the surrounding areas. We look forward to receiving applications from more community groups eager power change in their local area this year."

Newly Refurbished Play Parks Reopen In Carrickfergus

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has unveiled the newly refurbished play park at Marine Gardens, Carrickfergus.

The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Beth Adger MBE, was joined by local Elected Representatives, Council Officers plus representatives from Play Ground Contractor Garden Escapes, Design Team WH Stevens and PSNI.

The project, focused on enhancing inclusivity and accessibility, has revitalised the park into a dynamic and stimulating playground suitable for children of diverse ages and abilities. Through thorough consultation with the public and targeted user groups, the play park was designed to promote inclusive and accessible play, fostering adventure, challenge and creativity. The standout feature, an impressive ship, invites all children to embark on thrilling high-seas adventures.

During the consultation process, basic play elements such as swings and climbing opportunities continue to come out on top and Council is delighted to be able to include a zipline at this park, which is always in high demand.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Beth Adger MBE, said: "It is great to see the completion of this work – it’s such an amazing resource for both local families and visitors in this beautiful seaside town. "Council is committed to providing safe, accessible and inclusive play parks across the Borough with annual investment in play parks in line with the Council’s Out to Play strategy and Play Investment Framework which is developed in consultation with elected members and information provided from local people. This strategy and ongoing investment demonstrates the importance placed on play throughout the Borough."

L'Derry Runner Raising Funds For Include Youth

A L'Derry runner participating in local athletics events, covering the distance equivalent to L'Derry to Belfast, aims to generate funds and awareness for Include Youth's services.

Stephen Morrison, an employee of Danske Bank, will near his 72.4 mile goal as he finishes L'Derry's premier sports event, the Waterside Half Marathon, on Sunday 1 September. A father of one, he discovered the impactful efforts of Include Youth in enhancing the lives of underprivileged youth when his company partnered with them earlier this year.

The organisation work with young people to aid their personal development, reach their educational goals and help them fulfil their potential. Their services include a range of tailored employability, personal development and good relations programmes in partnership with other community-based organisations.

Stephen, a former Irish Champion kickboxer, has maintained a strong passion for fitness throughout his life. In recent years, he developed a love for running and made his racing debut at the 39th edition of the Waterside Half Marathon in 2022.

Stephen explained his motivation behind the challenge:

"When Danske Bank partnered with Include Youth we decided we wanted to try and raise funds and attention for the organisation in a multitude of ways.

"I decided I wanted to run the distance between our main two offices to signify the long hard road some children face in life and to highlight the importance and necessity of having a charity like Include Youth who are there to help and support them in every way they can. All children deserve the best start in life and if I can make a difference to even just one child then all the miles and aching legs will be worth it."

Stephen is completing his challenge by taking part in six races across the North this year and to date he has completed two Ten Mile events at Derry and Ballyliffin and Half Marathons in Omagh and Strabane Lifford. In September he will complete the challenge by running the Waterside Half in his home town of Derry before the Belfast Half Marathon. He said: "The challenge has gone very well so far and each race I’m hitting a new personal best. Training is going great and I’m getting fitter every week, my last race was the Strabane Lifford in May so I have a lay off until the start September for the Waterside. When my son Zach was born, my kick boxing training became limited with father duties taking priority so I had to semi retire but I would still run the roads in the early hours of the morning to keep my fitness levels up.

"The more I ran, the more I got a love for the sport and decided it was time to test myself and enter a race. I entered the Waterside Half Marathon in 2022 and from then I really caught the bug and have never looked back.

"A personal highlight for me so far was when I was running toward the finish line on the beach at Ballyliffin, I could see Zach and my fiancée Michelle waiting for me, as I edged closer to the finish line Zach started running along side me, the motivation and extra boost seeing him was something special and I credit him for my PB that day. I am now touching £700 in funds raised against a target of £1000, so with two more races to go I’m hopeful I can meet and even exceed that target."

You can donate to Stephen’s fundraising efforts for Include Youth at: shorturl.at/ciBY6