Donegal Communities Receive Over €95,000 from SSE Renewables Community Fund and Sponsored Walk

Over €95,000 in community funding was awarded to 61 local groups in the vicinity of Meentycat Wind Farm in Co. Donegal in 2021.

This brings to over €1.3 million, the total funding paid out by SSE Renewables through its Community Fund programme since 2007.

While the Covid-19 pandemic meant that the 2021 annual sponsored walk at Meentycat Wind Farm was cancelled, SSE Renewables took the decision to award over €48,000 to the 45 groups that participated in the 2019 sponsored walk, in acknowledgement of the hardship the loss of this fundraiser would have presented to many local groups.

The company awarded a further €47,300 for 16 local projects through its Community Fund.

"This year’s project is a critical safety one for the club as the nature of rugby is a physical contact sport. SSE Renewables funding will enable us to upgrade and enhance our first aid equipment necessary to respond to rugby type injuries at the club.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank SSE Renewables on behalf of all the groups that took part in previous 2019 Meentycat Walk for their decision to awarded funding to these groups again this year. During these Covid-19 times we find ourselves in with no fundraising available to the groups this funding is appreciated more than ever."

Shaun McGuinness Club President

Other projects supported include replacement doors at Meenreagh Social Centre and Robert Emmet’s GAA Club, safety fencing for the walking track at Glenswilly National School, equipment upgrade at an Chead Cheim, BASICC and Glenmore Hall Management Committee, installation of a defibrillator at Illistrin Football Club, a lighting project at Raphoe Cathedral Hall Management Committee, Christmas lights for Ballybofey & Stranorlar Chamber of Commerce, solar panels at Cloghan Day Centre, a heating project for Donegal Down Syndrome Housing Association, an accessible toilet and changing room upgrade at Gleann Fhinne CLG, a polytunnel at Ballylast St. Columba’s National School and Cappry Residents Association native Irish tree-planting in their community.

Anne Reynolds, Community Development Officer, said: “SSE Renewables is really proud to be making a difference in communities in Co. Donegal. We’ve been presenting communities here with funding since 2007 and this latest funding brings our total funding in the area to over €1.3 million. Through the financial assistance of over €95,000 awarded from Meentycat wind farm within the last few months 58 community groups and 13 schools were able to deliver a range of community support reliefs. energy efficient and sustainable measures.”

SSE Renewable’s Meentycat Wind Farm, and the adjoining Culliagh Wind Farm near Lifford, generate over 100MW of clean, green energy combined.

The following groups in Co. Donegal received funding from the 2021 SSE Renewables Community Sponsored Walk fund that was cancelled due to COVID-19

The following groups in Co. Donegal received funding from the 2021 SSE Renewables Community Fund COVID-19 Measures and for a variety of energy efficient and sustainable projects