Area groups to benefit from Age & Opportunity funding
Several groups and organisations across TheAvondhu catchment, ranging from active retirement groups, ICAs, Men’s/Women’s Sheds, Physical Activity Leaders (PALs), care settings and other sports and social groups, will benefit from funding to support sport and physical activities activity amongst older people.
Age & Opportunity is marking the distribution of its Active National Grant - a combined initiative from Age & Opportunity and Sport Ireland – with over €300,000 this year allocated to support sport and physical activities run by 1,167 groups and organisations.
Of the funding allocations announced last Thursday, grants were awarded to 20 Local Sports Partnerships, 199 Irish Countrywomen’s Association Guilds, 269 Active Retirement Groups, 57 Men’s sheds and 19 Women’s sheds.
LOCAL ALLOCATIONS
In excess of 115 groups in Cork will benefit, with a total of €29,540 allocated, including in the Avondhu area to: Ballindangan Monday Morning Club, Ballyhooly Community Council, Cope Foundation, Fermoy and District ARA, Fermoy Pitch & Putt Club, Galtee Gaels GAA Club, Irish Wheelchair Association Mallow, Kilbehenny Comminity Centre CLG, Leamlara ICA, Mallow Day Care Centre, Midleton Men's Shed, Whitechurch & Waterloo Active Retirement and Whitechurch Tennis Club.
The Grant Scheme is providing €7,500 to 29 groups in Waterford, with successful groups including Blackwater Ladies Group, Clashmore and Kinsalebeg Community Council, Deise Women's Group, Irish wheelchair Association Waterford, Lismore Bowls Club and No Limits Women's Group Lismore.
€13,820 is being allocated to 54 groups in Limerick, including to Glenbrohane Community Association, Glenroe Ballyorgan Active Group and Knocklong ARA.
While €15,730 will go to 61 organisations across Tipperary, recipients will include Aherlow ICA, Cahir ARA, Cahir Day Care Centre, Duhill Community Council, South Tipperary Mental Health Services, HSE; and Vee Valley Day Care Centre.
HEALTH BENEFITS
By financially supporting organisations to buy equipment and host activities specifically designed for older people, the grant helps older people reap the health benefits of being active. One nursing home in Cork is sourcing equipment to continue hosting their annual Olympic Theme Event, which they hosted for first time last year with help of the grant. This year they are looking to add golf onto the list of activities.
Every year approximately 32,000 older people take part in physical activity funded by the Grant Scheme. Activities funded include aqua aerobics, rowing, dancing, cycling, clay pigeon shooting, bowling, self-defence, walking tennis, tai chi, walking and weight-lifting.