Hockey 4 All Receives a ‘Helping Hand' from SPAR

Olympic hero Katie Taylor presents local Meath organisation with funding from SPAR 50^th Anniversary bursary  13 October 2013

Local retailer SPAR today announced Hockey 4 All as a recipient of its ‘Helping Hand Community Fund', a nationwide campaign aimed at supporting stand out community groups and clubs. Patron of the fund and Olympic gold medallist Katie Taylor was on hand at the gala event in the Gibson Hotel in Dublin to congratulate Hockey 4 All on their success. The €50,000 ‘SPAR Helping Hand Community Fund' was launched earlier this year as part of the brand's celebration of its 50^th anniversary in Ireland.

Funding recipients have been selected on the basis of their contribution to their local communities in addition to their need for additional financial support. Accepting the funding on behalf of Hockey 4 All, Navan Hockey Clubs Dwyne Hill said: "We are delighted to accept this funding which recognises our role in the local community and which will go a long way in helping us to provide this worthwhile service. We would like to thank SPAR for their generosity and all those who voted for us as part of the process.

Katie Taylor, patron of the ‘SPAR Helping Hand Community Fund' said:  "I'm delighted to be here today, and to be patron of these fantastic and well-deserved awards.  Hockey 4 All are obviously a cornerstone of their local community and that's what the ‘SPAR Helping Hand Community Fund' awards are all about." Willie O'Byrne, Managing Director, BWG Foods, (owners and operators of the SPAR brand in Ireland) said: "As a local retailer, with a presence in nearly every town and city across Ireland, we place a big emphasis on giving something back to the communities whose citizens support our retailers. At an individual level our local retailers support and sponsor community initiatives on an ongoing basis and in this, our 50^th year, we wanted to go one step further. Today we recognise Hockey 4 All for their service to the local community; they are a deserved recipient of this funding and we congratulate them on the important role they play locally. "Hockey 4 All is the first hockey group for children with disabilities in Ireland.  Set up this year by Navan  Hockey Club the team, aged six to 18, has  players with various disabilities.

The SPAR ‘Helping Hand Community Fund' was awarded to clubs and groups across Ireland under five categories: Children & Youth; Community Services & Support; Heritage & Environment; Sport & Leisure; and Arts & Culture Note In the Picture Aine Coogan IHA Inclusion Group, Katie Taylor, Dwyne Hill