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The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland are delighted to announce a new round of the Ann McGeeney Fund. Grants up to £2,000 are available for community organisations who are supporting refugees and asylum seekers to integrate into society.
Ann's family are based in Warrenpoint and hold regular fundraisers in the County Down area in memory of their mum.
The Ann McGeeney Fund was set up by Jimmy Murray, in memory of his late wife, Ann. Ann was a woman dedicated to working with and for the community in deprived areas, across borders, supporting peacebuilding and inspiring women to be confident and make a difference to their lives. Ann worked in difficult times but despite intimidation, confrontation and challenge she never diverted from what she believed in.
In recognition of her life and work her family, friends and work associates agreed to establish the Ann McGeeney Fund, to date the fund has awarded over £20,000 through the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland community groups making a positive difference in their area.
Dundalk Media Centre is one of many groups supported by the fund.
Alan Byrne, Manager at Dundalk Media Centre commented “The Women on Air project, funded by the Ann McGeeney Fund supported the training of ten migrant members of the Dundalk community to become community reporters. Each individual had the opportunity to contribute weekly pieces to Dundalk FM's weekday Drive Time programme, recording bilingual Community Notices. Participating in community radio is an excellent means of promoting integration, active citizenship and also encourages a greater understanding of migrant communities' culture.”
Holly McGeeney Murray, Ann’s daughter said “For us, this fund is a perfect way to celebrate mum's passion for her local community. Each grant we award together as a family supports causes that mum loved to get involved with. She was always working to make a difference and now this fund will continue to do this even after she is gone. Previous rounds have made a huge difference in people's lives for a vulnerable section of our communities and we want to continue this with the new round of funding we are opening.
“The Community Foundation has worked closely with us to set up a fund which recognises our mum Ann, and we are delighted to be working with them again.”
Orla Black, Grants Director, Community Foundation NI said “Refugees and asylum seekers need our support. The trauma and impact of having to leave their homes means this fund will go some way to helping them in their new communities. Unfortunately, given the circumstances we face with a war in Europe, this need has increased in 2022 and the Community Foundation will continue to work towards assisting those in need.”
The Fund welcomes applications from community and voluntary groups who are supporting refugees and asylum seekers to integrate into society. Grants up to £2,000 are available, closing for applications on 17th October. The fund can be applied for via the Community foundations website - communityfoundationni.org/grants
