This week sees the culmination of 9 months of planning and project management as the National Lottery Good Causes Awards are finally upon us.
Did you know that nearly 30c in every €1 spent on a National Lottery game goes back to Good Causes across the country? That could be your local GAA Club, your senior citizens group, your children’s swim club, the local teen youth cafe or any number of health support groups. In fact, approx. €225m per year is grant aided to Good Causes just by playing The National Lottery and on average over 4,000 organisations benefit each year.
As Project Managers for the National Lottery Good Causes Awards, we’ve met with and learned about the incredible people in every town and village across Ireland who are working so hard to make their communities a better place in which to grow up and grow old. We can honestly say that we’ve met real heroes who strive so hard for their good cause … and in this playlist you can see a 1 minute clip about every one of the finalists:
Last month we spent two amazing days in Athlone meeting finalists in 6 categories: Community, Sport & Recreation, Arts & Culture, Heritage, Youth and Health & Wellbeing. It was truly humbling.
Pictured are Ricky Whelan and Chris Uys from Abbeyleix Bog Project. 
Pictured are Helen Riddell and Eugene Glendon from Bere Island Projects Group. 
Pictured are Tony Ford, Mary Mann and Don Reddan from Bergerie Trust CLG. 
Pictured are Ian Oliver and Monika Sapielak from Centre for Creative Practices. 
Pictured are Robert Connor and Loretta Yurick from Dance Theatre Ireland. 
Pictured are Mary Patterson and Geraldine Graydon from Dalkey Scuba Divers. 
Pictured are Paula Harvey and Bernie English from Donegal GAP Heritage and History Group. 
Pictured is Jacinta Walsh from Drogheda ABACAS School for Children with Autism. 
Pictured is Chantal McCormick from Fidget Feet Aerial Dance Theatre. 
Pictured are Kyle Quill and Martin Mongan from Involve with Robert Magee, National Lottery. 
Pictured are Helen Jones, John Burke and Aggie from Irish Guide Dogs. 
Pictured are Mary Branley and Jo Holmwood from Kids Own Publishing Partnership.
And so, now it’s time for the final. Our hosts Grainne Seoige and James Patrice will host a celebration of Ireland’s Good Causes at the Clayton Burlington Hotel on Saturday 2nd November. Winners will be announced in 7 categories by a host of guest presenters – Norah Casey (Community), Sanita Puspure (Sport & Recreation), Panti Bliss (Arts & Culture), Grainne Seoige (Irish Language), Virginia Teehan (Heritage), Deborah Somorin (Youth) and Karl Henry (Health & Wellbeing). The evening will culminated with Minister Josepha Madigan announcing the Good Cause of the Year 2019.
Whoever is named Good Cause of the Year, there is huge honour in making it to the finals and we celebrate each and every one of of you for your dedication, commitment, hard work, ingenuity, kindness and community spirit. Enjoy the celebrations and remember … YOU ARE THE GOOD CAUSES!
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