8 September 2017
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
ESB has awarded funding of €50,000 to four Cork-based charities to mark the summer round of its Energy for Generations fund. The Next Step (recipients of €6,000 in funding), Love and Care for People (€7,470), Baile an Aoire (€16,000) and Field of Dreams (€21,000) attended a special event at Aghada Generating Station in Whitegate Co Cork this morning.
The summer round of funding saw €168,400 awarded to 23 charities across Ireland, all working in the areas of suicide, homelessness and education access and support.
ESB’s station manager at Aghada Liam Ring spoke of how the company seeks to empower and enrich the lives of individuals and communities across Ireland through its Energy for Generations Fund. “ESB has a long tradition of supporting individuals and communities around Ireland. It’s been a great pleasure to welcome representatives from four tremendous Cork charities to Aghada to recognise their practical and effective efforts in the city, county and beyond. The charities exemplify the spirit of the Fund that has delivered €11m to worthy causes across Ireland, including €1m in Cork, over the last ten years.”
Pictured at a function at the ESB power station Aghada for the presentation of funds to four Cork Charities through the ESB Energy for Generations Fund. Included are, Sr. Jane Murphy, Baile an Aoire, Jenny O’Halloran, Field of Dreams, Avril McCleery, Next Step and Dr. Ado Mazombe, Love & Care for People. Also included is Liam Ring, ESB Aghada Station Manager.
Pic John Sheehan
Baile an Aoire is run by the Good Shepherd Sisters, who are actively involved in a variety of activities including the provision of supported housing which aims to enhance the quality of life of vulnerable women in Cork. Joanne Lee, Project Worker says: “We at Baile an Aoire are delighted to be chosen to be one of the lucky charities to receive funding from ESB’s Energy for Generations Fund. This donation will make a huge difference to the homes of the residents along with contributing towards our environment.”
Cork City-based The Next Step provide support of a non-medical nature for those who have experienced depression, mental health issues and emotional difficulties in their lives. Vincent Murphy, Chairperson, says: “ESB’s Energy for Generations Fund has continually helped The Next Step, a unique voluntary run organisation, to support people who have experienced mental health and emotional difficulties in their lives by providing various creative arts workshops. We are most grateful for this funding as it is paramount to our success.”
Working across the city and county, Love and Care for People improves the quality of life of children, young people, and women impacted by family violence and hardship with a purpose to reduce and prevent it. Dr Ado Mazombe, Director says: “Love and Care for People CLG are very grateful to receive funding from ESB’s Energy for Generations Fund towards the delivery of a digital literacy support programme to young migrant/asylum seekers living in an isolated and disadvantaged rural community in East Cork. This programme will provide a valuable opportunity to young migrant/ asylum seekers with no previous ICT exposure in developing computer literacy skills”.
The Field of Dreams project aims to enhance Down Syndrome Cork’s adult services by providing an educational and therapeutic horticulture centre, within which adults with Down syndrome will gain valuable work experience and be provided a range of learning opportunities. Jason Bane, Field of Dreams Board Member, says: “The support provided by the ESB Energy for Generations Fund and ESB staff has been incredible. In 2017 Down Syndrome Cork have been able to build the Field of Dreams, develop training programs and recruit our first intake of students to the Field. It is our intention that the Field of Dreams will become a magical place to work, learn and develop life skills that will enable our members with Down syndrome fulfil their potential and live meaningful lives. All in DS Cork are eternally grateful to the Energy for Generations Fund and ESB staff.”
ESB’s aim with the Energy for Generations Fund is to maximise the impact of their investment by taking a more strategic approach to effect change. Funding is only part of the jigsaw – ESB also leverage the skills and knowledge within the company to bring about more sustainable and positive outcomes. Since it was launched in 2005, the Fund has awarded total funding of €11.5 million to over 700 local and national charities around Ireland, including approximately €1 million to 160 organisations located in Cork City and County.
ESB’s Energy for Generations Fund is open to organisations within the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. For more information on ESB’s Energy for Generations Fund, please visit our website www.esb.ie
