Pictures: Nine worthy Kilkenny groups receive funds from Lions Club for their tireless work

Nine local organisations from the city and county received funding from the Kilkenny Lions Club at a recent presentation in Bollards, Kilkenny.

Geoge Candler was MC for the event. Lions Club President Maurice Regan thanked the Lions partners, KCLR and the Kilkenny People, whose vital support makes many of the fundraising events possible.

He also expressed the Lions’ gratitude to the people and business community of Kilkenny who have generously supported the various Lions fund raising events throughout the past 12 months, including the very successful Christmas Hamper Appeal auction last December on KCLR.

He also thanked the various mayors for donating the proceeds of the Mayor’s Annual Christmas Appeal each year to the Lions Club.
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Maurice also paid a huge tribute to organisations such as the Army, Kilkenny Lawn Tennis Club and individual donations whose support has been invaluable to Lions. He said he was proud of the Lions policy of distributing funds throughout County Kilkenny and that the Lions club was very happy to assist such worthy organisations as is evident with this round of allocations.

THANKED
He also thanked the Lions Committee for organising this event and in particular Philip O’Neill, Marie Kennedy, Philip Tierney, Eddie Holohan, Carmel Slater, George Candler and Padraig Keegan.

Cathaoirleach of the Council Mary Hilda Cavanagh paid tribute to the Lions Club for having a long and proud tradition of quiet, consistent and impactful service. The Lions Club time and time again step forward to support those who need it most. She added that the groups receiving funds represent the very best of Kilkenny, volunteers, clubs, and units, who give their time, their skills, and their energy to strengthen our communities.

Mayor John Coonan praised the Lions for their tireless work and congratulated the nine fantastic local organisations for the work they do on the ground.

Both the Cathaoirleach and Mayor extended their deepest appreciation to the special guests namely the army, tennis club and Kilkenny Sub Aqua Search and Rescue Unit. They also referred to great work that is undertaken by the Newpark Close Family Resource Centre, Kilkenny and Mill Family Resource Centre, Urlingford.

RECIPIENTS
The nine recipients were:
Mount Carmel, Callan;
Acquired Brain Injury, Ireland-Kilkenny branch;
St Patrick’s Special School, Kilkenny;
Irish Pilgrimage Trust, Kilkenny;
Graignamanagh Barrow Harriers Athletic Club;
Rape Crisis Centre (KASA), Kilkenny;
Friends of Castlecomer Hospital;
Bennettsbridge Mens Shed;
Slieverue Active Retirement Association.

Also present were representatives from Newpark Close Family Resource Centre, Kilkenny and Mill Family Resource Centre, Urlingford who a short while ago received funds from Lions to assist both their educational programmes.

Denis Coghlan chair and several members from Kilkenny Sub Aqua Search and Recovery Unit were also there to speak about their work and acknowledge the recent funding received by them from the Lions table quiz.

Special guests were representatives from the Army Lt Diarmuid O’Dwyer and also Ruth Carolan captain and sponsor Pat Brett, Ecopower from Kilkenny Tennis Club. Both organisations fundraised significant amounts over the Christmas period for the Lions Club.