Meath Organisation Wins big at National Lottery Good Causes Awards 2024

South Meath Social Economy Wins Community Award taking home €10,000 prize!

 

An inspiring local organisation in Meath has won big at this year’s National Lottery Good Causes Awards 2024. 

South Meath Social Economy took home a top prize of €10,000 in the Community category in recognition of their project ‘Homelife’. 

This initiative is designed to enhance the quality of life for vulnerable groups by providing essential home maintenance and refurbishment services. 

Beyond practical assistance, Homelife, offers companionship, reducing isolation and enhancing seniors’ quality of life. Their efforts promote social inclusion, dignity, and wellbeing, allowing individuals to stay in familiar environments. With funding from National Lottery Good Causes, South Meath Social Economy has introduced new programs like home adaptation grants and invested in staff training for personalised care. 

Recognised as the 2024 Community category winner by the National Lottery Good Causes Awards, South Meath Social Economy’s work not only provides essential services but also inspires with their commitment to compassion and community service. 

Photo Caption: Members of South Meath Social Economy are pictured celebrating as they were announced overall winners of the Community category. 

 

The event also saw Hand in Hand Cancer Charity in Galway crowned as the overall Good Cause of the Year 2024 and the winner in the Health and Wellbeing category. This nationwide charity works tirelessly with families affected by cancer, offering free, on-the-ground support to help ease the burden of long-distance travel for treatment and the emotional toll of a diagnosis. Their services aim to reduce the stress associated with cancer, making a meaningful impact on families facing one of life’s toughest challenges. 

This year’s Good Causes Awards ceremony took place in Killashee House Hotel in Co. Kildare. Marty Whelan hosted the event and was joined by a star-studded line-up of guest presenters who handed out category awards, including TV personality Daithí Ó Sé, author and radio presenter Anna Geary, the inspiring Deborah Somorin,  renowned architect and TV presenter Hugh Wallace and dancing sensation Arthur Gourounlian.  

The Awards are made up of seven categories: Sport, Health & Wellbeing, Heritage, Arts & Culture, Community, Youth and Irish Language.  

A special award category, ‘Hero of the Year’, recognises the outstanding work done by an individual within an organisation. 

This year’s Hero of the Year winner is Evelyn Neary, founder of Cian’s Kennels. In the face of deep personal loss, Evelyn has turned her grief into a powerful force for good. As the founder of Cian's Kennels, Evelyn built a dedicated team of volunteers, fostered crucial partnerships, and implemented strong governance to ensure the organisations success. Most importantly, she has brought comfort and joy to families during some of their most challenging times. “Imaginative. Resilient. Determined”, these are just a few words that encapsulate the remarkable spirit of the National Lottery Hero of the Year 2024, Evelyn Neary. 

On the night, a total of €100,000 was awarded. The seven category winners each received €10,000; the Hero of the Year received €5,000 and the overall Good Cause of the Year, Hand in Hand received an additional €25,000.     

Cian Murphy, Chief Executive of the National Lottery, said: “On behalf of the National Lottery, I want to extend our warmest congratulations to Hand in Hand, as well as to all our outstanding category winners. The work you do to make a tangible, positive difference in people's lives is nothing short of inspiring. It’s been a true privilege to stand alongside such a diverse range of organisations, each benefiting from Good Causes funding, and each playing a vital role in creating a better, more compassionate society."

This year’s National Lottery Good Causes Award winners are: 

National Lottery Good Cause of the Year – Hand in Hand CLG, Galway 

Arts and Culture - Helium Arts, Westmeath 

Community - South Meath Social Economy, Meath 

Health and Wellbeing - Hand in Hand CLG, Galway 

Heritage - Maharees Conservation Association, Kerry 

Irish Language: Cill Dara le Gaeilge, Kildare 

Sport: Mullingar Handball Club, Westmeath 

Youth: Belong To LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland, Dublin 

Hero of the Year: Evelyn Neary, Cian’s Kennels, Longford 

Nearly 30 cent in every €1 spent on all National Lottery games goes back to Good Causes in the areas of sport, youth, health, welfare, education, arts, heritage, and the Irish Language. In total, more than €6.5 Billion has been raised for Good Causes since the National Lottery was established 37 years ago. In 2023 alone, €227.9 Million was raised for local Good Causes in communities across Ireland.             

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