Fundraising goes full circle in Limerick village for community centre

BOHER Community Development Association has organised a Silver Circle draw to raise much needed funds for their upgraded community centre.

Most of their fundraising goes to charity but money doesn’t grow on trees  and the community centre doesn’t run on thin air. Pat O’Connell, chairman, said: “We now have a community facility that we all can be very proud of.”

The upgrade work was completed with the assistance of EU Leader funding through Ballyhoura Development CLG. Along with the grant aid, the development association used its own funds to pay the remaining 25% of the project cost so the upgrade was completed debt-free without the need to obtain any external funding.

“In order to replenish funds to enable us to continue to run our community centre and in order to facilitate future enhancements to be made to our community hub, our finance project team has decided to run a five month confined draw from July to November 2019 with a contribution of €20 per month. There will be generous cash prizes each month with a bonus draw at the end for all participants who have paid the total contribution of €100.

“The funds raised will allow our community centre to continue to be used by the whole community,” said Pat.

Over the past year, the many different events and activities include bridge, scouts, 45, kids board games, club meetings, social evenings, night classes, coffee mornings, birthday parties and many more.

Prize money per month is €1,700, first prize €1,000. The interest and support was “overwhelming” said Mary Finucane, PRO, with all tickets sold. Canon Tom Ryan drew the top prize after Mass in Boher.

The next draw will be on Saturday, August 3 in O’Neill’s Bar; September draw will be in Boher Community Centre; October draw will be in Pa McGrath’s and the final draw will be held in November back in the community centre.