Diageo Northern Ireland has announced that it has awarded Northern Ireland community groups Chimney Corner Ladies Football Club, Stepping Stones NI and Newtown Forest Football Club £4,000 each whilst Strabane Sigersons GAC has received £800 in funding to support their activities.

The funding has been awarded through Diageo Northern Ireland’s Gifted Programme which is now in its third year. The scheme runs on an annual basis and continues to grow from strength to strength, enabling Diageo employees who volunteer with local community and voluntary organisations to nominate these groups for a donation from the company. The applicants had to provide details of how a donation would be put to good use by their respective group or charity. All of the nominations were then considered in detail by Diageo, with Business in the Community independently assessing the applications. Finally, a total of 18 groups were chosen receiving a total grant of £40,000.

The Gifted programme has awarded a wide selection of charities and community organisations and the successful organisations from across the island of Ireland including areas such as Belfast, Limerick, Kilkenny, Cork, Waterford, Dublin and Dundalk.

Michael Kitchen, Billing Controller for Diageo Northern Ireland and leading member of the cross community Newtown Forest Football Club based in South Belfast said, “Everyone at the football club is delighted that Newtown Forest has been selected for an award by the Diageo Gifted programme. This award of £4,000 is a great boost to us because we are now able to provide necessary training for current and future coaching staff, and support the under 19’s team.”

Donna Rudd, Masterdata & EDI Executive for Diageo Northern Ireland and active member of Chimney Corner Ladies Football Club commented, “We are delighted to be gifted this award of £4,000 which will provide much needed training equipment and allow senior club members to complete accredited training courses. This crucial funding will help go towards promotion of the club, enabling us to grow and provide more opportunities to benefit young girls & women from the local community.”

Karen Laverty, Trade Investment Analyst for Diageo Northern Ireland and active volunteer at Stepping Stones NI said, “The funding of £4,000 is a massive step towards helping improve the lives of people with learning disabilities and learning difficulties.  The funds will be used to develop and launch an independent website for Pink Elephant cards where expert designers work with people who have learning disabilities to create bespoke handmade stationery and cards.”

Michael Friel, Quality Dispense Rep for Diageo Northern Ireland and active member of Strabane Sigersons GAC said, “Our club is thrilled to receive £800 from Diageo NI and we are looking forward to using the money to supply essential sports equipment and allow the club to further improve its coaching structures, on top of developing the abilities of all our club members.”

Michael McCann, Country Director, Diageo Northern Ireland commented: “There is a long tradition of volunteering within Diageo Northern Ireland and through the Gifted Programme we continue to recognise our employee’s commitment and real contribution to the communities in which they live and work. I am delighted to be able to support all four worthy local Northern Ireland organisations particularly in these tough economic times and hope the funds will some way go towards improving the lives of others.” 

ENDSFor more information, please contact Claire Aiken or Katrina Frazer at Aiken PR on 02890663000