Despite the increasing financial constraints being placed on the Local Government sector, staff at Limerick County Council have demonstrated their generosity by donating 18,000 euro to various local charities today.Over 300 Council employees have been making a voluntary contribution of 1.50 euro per week to the Staff Humanitarian and Benevolent fund since its inception in 2006. The majority of the 170,000 euro in funds raised to date have been donated to local, national and international humanitarian organisations whose aim is to relieve human suffering.
Commenting on the background to the fund, Pádraig Power, Acting Facilities Manager, Limerick County Council explained: “One of the biggest obstacles to fundraising success is organisations' inability to mobilise widespread participation in fundraising activities. This has not been the case at Limerick County Council, however, where a culture of fundraising has existed among staff for a long number of years.”
Mr. Power, who spent a number of years working abroad as a charity worker, continued: “The Staff Humanitarian Fund was established to harness the generosity of staff so they could collectively raise more money for and awareness of deserving charities. The Benevolent Fund, meanwhile, provides assistance to any member of staff that experiences financial hardship.”
“There are a large number of organisations that do not have a budget and do not receive funding from Government, foundations or other agencies. Consequently, it is only through fundraising that revenue is generated. Limerick County Council is delighted to be able to play its part in ensuring these organisations are allowed to continue to undertake valuable work in their respective areas”, he added.
Limerick County Council today presented Milford Hospice with a cheque for 4,000 euro and a further 14,000 euro to numerous other local charitable organisations and causes. Among the other local and national projects assisted by the Staff Humanitarian and Benevolent fund to date is Rathfreda House, Down Syndrome Limerick, Samaritans Limerick, Concern, The Red Cross, Jack and Jill Foundation, the Dialysis Unit at Limerick Regional Hospital and the Irish Cancer Society. Since 2006, international beneficiaries have included Street Children of Bucharest, World Divine mission Africa, the Niall Mellon Irish Township Trust and a Romanian orphanage, which has received humanitarian supplies as a result of fundraising efforts.
Meanwhile, over 250,000 euro worth of aid and eight emergency vehicles have been donated to several villages throughout Kosovo. One particular village called Shale, which was bombed heavily during the Serbian-Kosovo conflict, receives annual supplies of sports equipment items such as copybooks, stationery, uniforms. In addition, the staff fund has supported the construction of a medical centre, which provides free health checks to the local people. The remote Balkans village has also received a second hand minibus, ambulance and fire appliance courtesy of the Staff Humanitarian and Benevolent fund.
