THE owners of a wind farm in Derry have launched a £50,000 response fund to support community groups living within 12 miles of the facility to help support those most in need as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
The money is being made available by SSE Airtricity, which owns the 32-turbine Slieve Kirk wind park at Lisdillon Road at Ardmore, near Strabane.
The cash is being released immediately from the overall Slieve Kirk wind park annual community fund to support rapid response initiatives that are currently being mobilised, as well as for projects to help rebuild the community in the months ahead.
Michelle Donnelly, community development officer for Slieve Kirk wind park, said: “From the outset of this emergency, community and voluntary groups have responded remarkably to provide services and support for the vulnerable in our society.
“From the smallest gestures, such as calling those living alone, to more organised and larger-scale home delivery efforts, volunteers are making a real difference to people, especially the elderly or unwell.
“As a member of the community, the team at Slieve Kirk has an important role to play in supporting these efforts to address the impacts Covid-19 is having on our lives, which is why we are releasing £50,000 immediately to ensure emergency cash is available as quickly as possible to groups that need it now.”
The funding is available to volunteer-led community groups delivering Covid-19 response activities to communities and individuals living within 12 miles of Slieve Kirk.
Applications will be assessed on a first-come basis and will be instantly processed to ensure funding reaches the communities in need as quickly as possible.
:: Groups wishing to apply for funding can download forms from ireland.sse.com/SlieveKirk, email communityfundireland@sse.com, or call Michelle Donnelly on 079 21099663.
