Lottery boost to grow orchard

Lottery boost to grow orchard

8 September 2021

A DOWNPATRICK community group has received a funding boost from the National Lottery.

The Gallaun Residents Association is using a £2,462 grant to develop an orchard in the estate.

This will get residents involved in outdoor activities and promote good mental health and pride in the local community.  

Maya Goodfellow, chairperson of the association said: “We are so grateful to have been awarded funding from the National Lottery Community Fund.

“We have achieved over and above what we thought and supported local businesses when buying equipment and supplies.”

She added: “So far we have a big fence erected and planted trees and we have much more planned.”

The award is one of several which were announced last week to help improve health and wellbeing in communities. 

Paul Sweeney, National Lottery Community Fund NI chairperson, said: “I’m delighted to be able to announce these grants supporting such a diverse range of projects, which are meeting the needs in our local communities.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how these projects improve the lives of people from across Northern Ireland as we start to re-build and re-connect following our experiences of the pandemic over the last 18 months.

“National Lottery players can be proud to know that the money they raise is making such a difference to lives.”