Downpatrick nursery boost

Downpatrick nursery boost

2 October 2024

DOWNPATRICK’S Little Acorns Nursery has secured a slice of a £24,000 funding cake from a new community fund launched by Hughes Insurance.

The money is being allocated to support community-driven projects that create positive and sustainable impact with the money distributed throughout 2025.

Initial funding has been allocated across 10 organisations which include the Downpatrick nursery with the decision on what groups to support based on the recommendations of Hughes Insurance employees.

They submitted applications to provide funding to the groups and organisations that bring meaning to their own communities.

Little Acorns has been awarded £300 to purchase essential supplies with Alison Strain from the nursery delighted with the support during a challenging time for funding.

“We are extremely grateful to Hughes Insurance for its generous donation,” she said.

“We are a small rural preschool and in the face of ongoing funding cuts, every contribution we receive is vital and makes a tremendous difference to our operations.”

Alison added: “This support will be directly applied to purchasing essential supplies that are crucial for the daily needs and development of our children, helping us to continue providing high-quality care and education for the next generation.”

Hughes Insurance human resources director, Sarah Balmforth, said the company believes people are the greatest asset and it’s essential that they feel valued and connected, not just within the workplace, but also to the wider community. 

“The Hughes Community Fund allows our employees to actively engage in causes that resonate with them personally, reinforcing our commitment to align with their values,” she said.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to see our team’s enthusiasm and dedication to making a real difference through these initiatives and we’re excited to support their passion for community involvement.”

Emma Haughian, senior marketing manager at Hughes Insurance, added: “The launch of our Community Fund is a significant step forward in ongoing commitments to communities across Northern Ireland.

“Our staff are at the heart of this initiative and it’s incredibly rewarding to see them engaged by sharing information on the organisations that mean something to them and playing a part in deciding where our funding goes.”