Groups prepare for Good Causes Awards results

SIX inspiring Dublin groups and organisations have been put through their paces as part of the judging for the finals of the inaugural National Lottery Good Causes Awards which take place on November 3.

The groups beat off stiff competition to be announced as National Finalists and Dublin Region Winners in the awards which honour the incredible work that is being done in communities all over Ireland thanks to National Lottery Good Causes funding.

The awards will be televised on Virgin Media One TV on November 11 at 9pm. There was great excitement when the TV station visited the groups to film for the awards show.

The Dublin finalists are:

• Sport: Gaelic Warriors Wheelchair Rugby Club

Gaelic Warriors, founded in Clontarf in 1997, is Ireland’s first wheelchair rugby team. Good Causes funding has helped them to buy specially adapted wheelchairs to allow them take part in their sport.

• Health & WellBeing: Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland

Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland aims to foster an environment where everybody affected by Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus can live a fulfilled life. Good Causes funding supported the SHINE programme offering respite for young people from their early teens through to their mid-twenties and beyond.

• Heritage: Little Museum of Dublin

This much-loved museum tells the amazing story of Dublin. With the support of Good Causes funding it won the European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage in 2016.

• Arts & Culture: The Five Lamps Arts Festival

This unique festival in the heart of the inner city promotes community development and social inclusion through the arts. It has used Good Causes funding via the Arts Council to expand its programme.

• Community: Barnardos

Barnardos children's charity works with vulnerable children and their families in Ireland. Good Causes funding helped support the delivery of a series of workshops and social events for teen parents, their infants and families. 

• Youth: Blossom Ireland Community Inclusion

Blossom Ireland, based in Raheny, is a national organisation that serves children and their families with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities by providing fun, affordable, innovative activities. Good Causes funding allowed Blossom Ireland provide Easter and Summer camps.

The judging panel, chaired by broadcaster and businessman Bobby Kerr, spent two days in Athlone meeting 36 finalists from all over Ireland.

Mr Kerr, awards chairman, said the judging panel had an incredibly hard job deciding on the winners for the competition. 

“We were blown away by the 36 presentations,” he said.

“Each of the groups we met are doing amazing work in their communities and were all winners in their own rights. 

“The work that is being done all over Ireland with the help of Good Causes funding is outstanding.”  

National Lottery chief executive Dermot Griffin congratulated the Dublin groups on coming through the regional stage of the competition and wished them the best of luck on awards night.

“We were overwhelmed at the level of entries we received for our first National Lottery Good Causes Awards,” said Mr Griffin.

“We had over 500 applications from every county in Ireland in all categories. Through these awards we want to show how people, organisations, projects and sports clubs are doing extraordinary things in their communities. This is work that often goes unrecognised.”