Lidl awards €15,000 bursary to Mullingar community projects
Mullingar Harriers, St Brigid’s School, and Mullingar Youth Project each received a €5,000 contribution from the retailer to assist future development and to recognise their exceptional contribution in providing vital services to the area.
As part of a €75million expansion at the Mullingar Distribution Centre, Lidl committed to investing €15,000 in bursaries to local businesses and community groups.
They received a huge number of applications from local businesses, sports clubs, youth and disability services, all doing incredible work in Westmeath.
Tom McAuliffe, regional director, Lidl Ireland, said: “Mullingar is an important area for our company – we employ nearly 400 people and it is home to one of our distribution centres.
“That is currently undergoing a €75m extension, building on our sustainable building credentials. It will soon house the largest solar array of our properties in Ireland and a pollinator-friendly area with wildflower planting to promote local biodiversity.
“We had a fantastic number of applications all notable for their outstanding contribution to the community in areas of sports, youth outreach projects and disability services.
“Since the onset of the pandemic, many community projects have demonstrated inspirational dedication – however they have had struggles to generate funds, so with this contribution from our team, we are delighted to recognise and encourage continued success of these worthy causes, all providing important services to the surrounding areas.”
Michael Lane from Mullingar Harriers stated: “We are currently developing a complex sports facility which will include a six-lane all-weather synthetic athletics track along with a five lane grass athletics track and a mini grass track for children.
"On behalf of our club we were delighted to be chosen to receive this substantial donation from Lidl.”
Joanne Jordan, Principal, St Brigid’s School: “We are thrilled to receive this generous bursary from Lidl Ireland and their team.
"It will go towards developing a space of land at our school to create space for the students and visitors to perform outdoor activities, and a safe space to relax, unwind and explore different senses. We are also hoping to add to the level of biodiversity on the site by planting it with native plants, wildflowers and shrubs.”
Catherine McEntee, Mullingar Youth Project: “We are overwhelmed by the kindness of Lidl Ireland. We will use the injection of funding to boost the Building Skills Programme, which is pre-development training for young people who have not achieved their full educational potential.
"The aim is to help young people achieve practical qualifications, while using youth work methods to enhance their personal and social wellbeing, identify individual strengths and develop opportunities that will help young people achieve brighter future outcomes and reach their full potential.”