Two Kilkenny community groups benefit from Covid-19 restart fund

Two Kilkenny charity and community groups have become among the first to benefit from a special fund set up to assist projects in towns and villages across Ireland as they emerge from the Covid-19 crisis.

The Bank of Ireland ‘Begin Together’ fund, which is this year replacing the community enterprise awards, has awarded €5,000 to the two projects across the county.

Cois Nore Cancer Support Centre and Twilight Community Group both benefit from the €1 million Bank of Ireland is distributing over the second half of the year.

In this first round, a total of €500,000 in funding has been awarded to 116 projects and organisations across the island of Ireland. The financial support will help local community groups and non-profit organisations continue to serve their communities through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Commenting on the announcement, Derek Shannon, Head of Bank of Ireland for Kilkenny, said: “The aim of the Begin Together Fund, launched back in February which seems a lifetime ago now, is to support charities and community organisations that are making a real difference to the financial, physical and mental wellbeing of their communities.

“As society begins to open up again it’s important to remember that charities and community groups have seen their income severely impacted by COVID-19 but the work they do is more important than ever. For that reason, I’m delighted that the Begin Together Fund is providing this timely support for these Kilkenny projects,” Ms Coleman concluded.