Irish charities celebrate share of €1million fund

Over 10,000 people on the island of Ireland have taken part in the awards!

For the third year running, specialist insurer Ecclesiastical is giving away over €1,000,000 (£1 million equivalent) to charities through its Movement for Good awards. Members of the public were invited to nominate causes close to their hearts, with 500 awards of €1,000 available for donation.

In total, more than 10,000 people across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland supported the Movement for Good awards this year, with different charitable causes up and down the island receiving votes. The winning charities were picked at random from those nominated.

Galway Cat Rescue, Citywise Education, Focus Ireland, Senior Citizens Helpline Company, Catholic Institute for Deaf People, Blood Bike Leinster, Chester Beatty, Little Blue Heroes Foundation and Team Hope are amongst the twenty beneficiaries in the Republic of Ireland to receive a €1,000 award in Ireland this year, following overwhelming public support.

Amazingly, a huge amount of those who nominated a charity in the island said they’ve donated the same amount or more to charities during the past year (90% in the Republic of Ireland and 85% in Northern Ireland), showing just how kind-hearted Irish residents are despite challenges posed by the COVID pandemic. Additionally, the majority (53% in the Republic of Ireland and 62% in Northern Ireland) said they are more likely to support a local charity than a national one, as the country emerges from lockdown.

Thanking supporters of the movement, David Lane, Managing Director of Ecclesiastical in Ireland, said: “We have seen an overwhelming public response to our Movement for Good awards for a third year in a row and I would like to thank every single person who took the time to nominate a good cause. It’s clear that people care deeply about those in need during what has been an incredibly testing time for many. We know that €1,000 can make a huge difference to the incredible work that charities do and we’re looking forward to seeing how this financial boost will change lives for the better.

“Ecclesiastical is a unique financial services group. We are owned by a charity which means all available profits can be given to the good causes that are so important to our customers. As a company whose purpose is to contribute to the greater good of society, charitable giving is at the heart of our business.”

Later this summer, a further 30 charities across the UK and Ireland will also be chosen by a panel of judges to receive €10,000 from Ecclesiastical to be put towards the advancement of heritage and arts, education, rural and community, climate, human rights and equality. What’s more, two charities will benefit from an additional €50,000 each and another will receive a life changing €100,000 award.

For more information about the Movement for Good awards and for a full list of the winning charities, visit: www.movementforgood.com