More than 70 charities in Northern Ireland are to share £335,00 in grants handed out by the Nationwide Building Society.

The grants, of up to £5,000 for each charity, have been awarded through the building society’s Northern Ireland Community Fund.

This has a specific focus on supporting mental health, children and community services.

This was launched following a prize draw competition for its members across England, Scotland and Wales that members in Northern Ireland were unable to take part in due to local gambling laws.

Charities that have been awarded funding include Derry based Foyle Deaf Association, women’s charity Clonmore Regeneration Group and Trillock Enterprise Leisure, which runs a sports centre in Omagh for young people with disabilities.

“The last couple of years have been challenging for many people, and in these tough times we have seen how important our local communities are and the amazing work that happens every day. And this is demonstrated through the Northern Ireland Community Fund,” said the building society’s senior social investment manager Rachel Smith.

“Unfortunately, local gambling laws prevented us from including Northern Ireland members in our monthly Member Prize Draw. So, we wanted to find a way that would allow us to share the mutual benefit with local Northern Ireland communities in a meaningful way.

“The fund is designed to prioritise the kinds of charities that are vital to our local community.”

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