A new round of grants is now available thanks to a fund set up in memory of a South Armagh community worker.
The Ann McGeeney Fund was set up by Jimmy Murray in memory of his late wife.
Ann, who was born in 1962 in Cornonagh, a small townland outside Crossmaglen, died in September 2014 from cancer.
“Throughout her working life she was dedicated to working with and for the community in deprived areas, across the border, supporting peacebuilding and inspiring women to be confident and make a difference to their lives.
“Ann worked in dangerous and difficult times but despite intimidation, confrontation and challenge she never diverted from what she believed in or in the defence of who she believed in,” the fund’s website explains.
In the new round of funding, grants up to £2,000 are available for community organisations who are supporting refugees and asylum seekers to integrate into society.
To date, the fund has awarded over £20,000 through the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland to community groups making a positive difference in their area.
Holly McGeeney Murray, Ann’s daughter, said: “For us, this fund is a perfect way to celebrate mum’s passion for her local community. Each grant we award together as a family supports causes that mum loved to get involved with. She was always working to make a difference and now this fund will continue to do this even after she is gone.
“Previous rounds have made a huge difference in people’s lives for a vulnerable section of our communities and we want to continue this with the new round of funding we are opening.
“The Community Foundation has worked closely with us to set up a fund which recognises our mum Ann, and we are delighted to be working with them again.”
Orla Black, grants director, Community Foundation NI, said: “Refugees and asylum seekers need our support. The trauma and impact of having to leave their homes means this fund will go some way to helping them in their new communities.
“Unfortunately, given the circumstances we face with a war in Europe, this need has increased in 2022 and the Community Foundation will continue to work towards assisting those in need.”
The closing date for applications on is October 17 and he fund can be applied for via the Community foundations website – communityfoundationni.org/grants
