Funding boost for community groups

Anahilt Primary School Parent Teacher Association is one of two groups sharing £18,819.

They are using a £9,744 grant to purchase 15 laptops to deliver IT training to the school and wider community. The training benefits local people, helping to bring people together and create stronger bonds throughout the community.

Richard Reid, Headmaster of Anahilt PS on behalf of the PTA said; “We were thrilled to hear our application for funding had been successful and we would like to say a big thank you to all the National Lottery players. With the National Lottery grant we will now be able to provide our pupils with one computer each during class lessons in our upgraded ICT suite. We will also be able to extend our reach to support ICT activities for upskilling and training different groups within the local community.”

Lanaway Rural Development and Cultural Society is using a £9,075 grant to organise a celebratory dinner as part of the 150th anniversary of Glenavy Protestant Hall. The money is also being used to upgrade the toilets in the hall, to make them more accessible for wider community use.

Kate Beggs, The National Lottery Community Fund Northern Ireland Director, said: “Our experience of working with communities is that when you listen, people have amazing ideas to make things better and to change people’s lives in their own area. It is great to see the diverse work being done through projects funded by National Lottery money. I want to say thanks to all The National Lottery players who have helped make this possible.”