DATE: 2 October: Ballinasloe Social Services today announced that it has been nominated
by their local community to receive €20,000 in funding from the fourth annual AIB
Community €1 Million Fund to help with its work in Ballinasloe community.
In just four years, the AIB Community €1 Million Fund will have supported 296 charities
across Ireland. Earlier this year, AIB asked its customers, the wider public, and staff to again
nominate registered charities,that connect with causes that matter most to them and their
communities, in the AIB Community €1 Million Fund.
To those charities chosen by the customers and wider public, AIB is allocating €700,000
across the four provinces and a separate category for charities in the greater Dublin area,
while €300,000 will be donated to charities chosen by employees.
AIB is committed to connecting customers with their local community groups. They have
introduced, through their partnership with Payzone a donation feature on the AIB Mobile
app, enabling customers to donate to their nominated charities directly on the app. The
charities will be listed on the app for the year following nomination.
Speaking about receipt of the award, Teresa Coughlan of (Ballinasloe Social Services)
said: “We are thrilled to receive this funding from the AIB Community €1 Million Fund, which
is crucial for maintaining the services we offer to our community. AIB’s ongoing support for
local organisations is invaluable, and we have witnessed the positive impact on other local
groups that received funding last year.”
“The public’s nomination makes this particularly special for us. It acknowledges and
demonstrates the goodwill that exists for our efforts in the community. Thank you to
everyone who is involved in Ballinasloe Social Services and a special thanks to AIB for
setting up this important fund.”
Ballinasloe Social Services is a registered charity which provides services to the local
community. It provides Day Care, Transport and Meals on Wheels to older people,
Pre-School and Early Intervention Service to children and their families and a Family
& Community Resource Centre to the community. It receives part-funding from HSE,
Tusla and Department of Children and the balance must be raised through
fundraising, donations and service charges. The funding of €20,000 will be hugely
beneficial to our Day Care Service in the coming 2 years in that a new exercise bike
can be purchased to maintain and increase mobility of the service users. Additional
orthopaedic chairs will also be purchased. A varied suite of exercise classes, social
outings, information sessions and wellbeing courses will be offered as a result of this
funding.
Speaking about the Fund, AIB Managing Director Retail Banking, Geraldine Casey said:
“We are delighted once again this year to support over 66 charities through the AIB
Community €1 Million Fund. AIB is deeply rooted in towns and villages across the country,
and we are privileged to be able to provide much needed funding to those who are making
such a powerful contribution to improving the lives of those who live in these communities. I
would like to thank our customers and the public for taking the time to nominate these very
worthy charities.’’
For more information on Ballinasloe Social Services visit
www.ballinasloesocialservices.ie
For more information on AIB’s work in the community visit www.aib.ie/community.
Ends
For media queries please contact:
Paddy McDonnell: paddy.x.mcdonnell@aib.ie; 087 739 0743; or
Louise Kelly: louise.y.kelly@aib.ie 087 216 1545
