The Dublin and Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team and Bray Cardiac First Responders have been announced as finalists in the first ever National Lottery Good Cause Awards on November 3rd.
The awards were established to honour the astonishing efforts of various groups, projects, clubs, and individuals who make a difference in their respective communities.
The two Wicklow groups beat competition all over Ireland in the sport and health categories of the competition and will now proceed to the finals, to be held at a televised Gala Awards dinner event in Dublin on November 3rd.
36 groups from all over Ireland will now go to the finals under six categories – Sport; Health & Wellbeing; Arts & Culture; Heritage; Community, and Youth.
Each national category winner will receive €10,000 in funding, while the overall Good Cause of the Year will receive an additional €25,000.
Whether it be injured mountaineers or those suffering cardiac arrest – both the Dublin/Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team and Bray Cardiac First Responders are responsible for saving many lives.
Good Cause Funding from the National Lottery has positively affected both groups and allowed them to purchase vital equipment or provide training to new members.
Dermot Griffin, the CEO of National Lottery, said “We were overwhelmed at the level of entries we received for our first National Lottery Good Causes Awards. 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 unrecognized.”
Bobby Kerr, chair of the judging panel, also said “I have been blown away by the standard of the entries for these very important awards. As somebody who travels regularly all over Ireland for my work I am aware of the impact of National Lottery Good Causes funding. It has been an honour to have learned about the inspiring work that is going on around Ireland through the judging process.”
