Groups celebrate lottery windfalls

‘Cans’ Metal Box Pensioners Association, which has been awarded £1,962, is run by people who previously worked at the Metal Box factory in Portadown.

They maintain friendships including with those who are house-bound or in care. They are using the £1,962 grant to provide social evenings with guest speakers and day trips.

Markethill group Families Acting for Innocent Relatives provides support to people affected by the Troubles.

They are using the £9,400 grant to deliver activities and social events for older people living in isolated, rural areas.

Another Markethill group, Newry And Armagh Caring For Victims, provides recreation opportunities and support for people affected by the Troubles and older people in the Newry and Armagh area.

They are using the £7,072 to provide entertainment, respite breaks and craft classes.

Tandragee Rovers Football Club received £9,991. It provides sports facilities and community activities for the community on a 10-acre site. They are using the money to install safety perimeter fencing.

Marlacoo Rural Association was awarded £2,287. The organisation, based outside Portadown, organises a range of activities for the local community.

They are using the grant to make improvements to their existing community kitchen.

Meanwhile, Lurgan Junior High School’s youth annex was granted £8,375 to fund a range of activities.

The grants were made under the Awards for All programme, with the 100 groups sharing a total of £853,842.