Longford and Westmeath ETB provides €25,000 to youth clubs

The recently established Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board (LWETB) intends to provide funding of €25,000 to some 30 voluntary youth clubs throughout county Westmeath. These clubs are based in towns and villages from Kinnegad to Athlone, Delvin to Kilbeggan.

Youth officer Maria Fox said: “Every week more than 1,000 young people aged between 10 and 18 will benefit directly from these grants. We will fund educational and sporting activities, the arts, trips away, leadership and personal development programmes. Groups like Scouts, Foróige and other youth clubs will also be able to purchase vital equipment and maintain their premises.”

The grant scheme administered is available every year to youth clubs and is the main source of funding to enable them to provide their activities. Dr Christy Duffy, chief executive with LWETB, said he was “particularly happy that LWETB was funding seven new groups based in Athlone, Mullingar and Castlepollard”.

Paying tribute to the work of Ms Fox, Dr Duffy invited any person or group working with young people to contact her on 044 9348389 for information, advice and support. “Without this financial support and assistance these groups simply would not continue to exist,” he added.

LWETB came into being on July 1, replacing Westmeath VEC. Along with providing a full range of education and training opportunities for children and adults; it also has responsibility for the development, co-ordination and funding of youth work services and programmes in counties Westmeath and Longford.