By Business & Finance 
A total of 28 projects across Ireland have received funding from a pool of €80,000 donated by KBC as a way to support groups and individuals who are making a difference in their communities, and who require funding to continue with this great work.
Aidan Power, head of Brand and Marketing, KBC Bank Ireland said: “We launched our Bright Ideas initiative earlier this year as a way of supporting those who are making a real difference in our communities. We were really heartened and impressed by the level of commitment and creativity shown by the concepts submitted, where volunteers are developing unique and innovative projects to benefit others. As the ‘Bank of You’, KBC Bank Ireland is delighted to support these initiatives and we look forward to seeing the results of all the hard work.”
Over 250 groups applied for funding, and the 28 winning bright sparks comprise individuals and organisations located in KBC’s hub cities of Dublin, Limerick, Galway and Cork. The winning projects address issues such as social isolation and food waste, promote positive learning and development through literacy, sports and play and support the vulnerable with care and wellbeing initiatives, to name but a few.
The 28 winning initiatives include Scoil Oilibhear in Ballyvolane (€10,000 funding) who will build a state-of-the-art activity trail/playground, creating a new recreation space for 700 pupils to become physically active as part of their learning and development.
The Tribesmen Rowing Club in Galway (€3,500 funding) will be able to purchase special equipment to help breast cancer survivors learn how to row as part of a new recovery programme on the River Corrib.
Social enterprise Food Cloud (€10,000 funding) will have an e-car for a year to redistribute surplus food to over 40 charities in Dublin city, securing food donation deliveries for charities that find it harder to organise collections in the evenings and on weekends.
St Gabriel’s School & Centre in Dooradoyle, Limerick (€9,000 funding), will now be able to buy specialised play equipment for an outdoor sensory playground for children with multiple physical disabilities. The space will be designed to support the children’s communication skills, social, emotional and psychological development in a stimulating new environment.
For the full list of winning initiatives and more information on KBC Bright Ideas, log onto www.kbc.ie/brightideas
