Speedwell Trust receives grant from The Australian Ireland Fund

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Mrs. Jean Kelly, director and founder of the trust said she was delighted to learn The Australian Ireland Fund's Chief Executive, Ms. Teresa Keating, had announced a AUS$170,000 funds boost.

She said Ms. Keating visited The Speedwell Trust last summer and an application was presented to her proposing The Australian Ireland Fund support the cost of running one room for a year. "We have had funding before from The Australian Ireland Fund but this time they realised how much we were having to struggle in order to stay open and thankfully they have come up trumps.

"We asked them if they would sponsor a room for one year and they have agreed. It is unbelievably good news"," she said.

However it costs over AUS$720,000 for The Speedwell Trust to operate on an annual basis so even though Jean is delighted to have been successful in her grant applications, she knows much more needs to be done.

" We operate in the local community for the children of Northern Ireland. Our work is so valuable and we are appealing for anyone who can help us fundraise, no matter how big or how small, to come forward and help. We are a charity working for the future of the next generation and if there is anybody out there who can get behind us to help us secure our future. It doesn't matter how big or how small your fundraising idea may be we will welcome all help. I know there are people out there who can help," she said.

© Tyrone Times July 2004

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