Longford people who have used Lottery Good Causes funding in 'extraordinary' way urged to apply for awards

Longford people and organisations who have inspired positive change have been urged to apply for upcoming prestigious awards.

This year’s National Lottery Good Causes Awards, which honours the inspiring work and achievements of projects, clubs and individuals who, with the help of their 'Good Causes funding', have had an extraordinary impact on their local communities.

The awards ceremony will take place on Saturday, October 18 in Killashee House Hotel in Naas, Co. Kildare.

Individuals, community projects and organisations in Co. Longford who received Good Causes funding between the years 2020 and 2024 are eligible to apply.

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The 2025 Good Causes Awards will have seven categories which includes sport, health and wellbeing, arts and culture, heritage, community, youth and Irish language.

Each category winner will receive €10,000 while the overall Good Cause of the Year will receive an additional €25,000.

A special category, ‘Hero of the Year’, will also be announced at the Awards final, in recognition of outstanding work done by an individual within an organisation and will receive a prize of €5,000.

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Speaking at the launch, National Lottery CEO, Cian Murphy said this is the seventh year of the National Lottery Good Causes Awards, and they are once again reminded of the "extraordinary positive impact that the people who drive Ireland’s Good Causes have in shaping a brighter and more inclusive future" for all.

"Everyone who is associated with the National Lottery can feel proud that the funding from ticket sales supports the success stories that are the Good Causes. Since 1987, more than €6.5 billion has been raised for Good Causes.

"In 2023 alone, €227.9 million was raised for Good Causes in communities all across Ireland," he added.

Minister Jack Chambers, a strong advocate of the Awards, commended the work being carried out by Good Causes in communities all over the country.

"It is a great pleasure to support and participate in the launch of the National Lottery Good Causes Awards.

"As Minister and as a public representative, I see first-hand the enormous value this initiative has generated across our towns and cities, on our sports fields, in our community halls, in the arts, and in supporting people in our communities for the past four decades.

"Irish people as a whole are incredibly generous and the support these programmes receive from the general public further underlines this.

"It has been an honour to engage with some of the awardees and to learn about their life changing work they are doing in communities every single day.

"I wish the best of luck to all entering the 2025 Good Causes Awards and look forward to hearing about the good work being carried out by the 2025 applicants with National Lottery funding.”

Mark Dwyer, Director of Services of Hand in Hand CLG, Good Cause of the Year 2024 said they are incredibly grateful to have received the overall Good Cause of the Year award 2024.

"It has been hugely significant for Hand in Hand with the funding we received enabling us to continue providing essential practical and emotional support services to families throughout Ireland affected by a childhood cancer diagnosis.

"The profile of the charity and the services we provide has increased significantly and, most importantly, more families are now aware of the supports we can offer them.

"We strongly encourage any organisation eligible to enter the Good Cause Awards 2025, to apply," he added.

Nearly 30 cent in every €1 spent on National Lottery games goes back to Good Causes in the areas of sport, youth, health, welfare, education, arts, heritage and the Irish Language.

In total, more than €6.5 billion has been raised for Good Causes since the National Lottery was established 37 years ago. In 2023 alone, €227.9 million was raised for local Good Causes in communities across Ireland.

Applications for the Awards are now open and beneficiaries can enter and check eligibility at https://www.lottery.ie/goodcausesawards.