A Donegal-based community group took out the top honour at the National Lottery Good Causes Awards at the weekend.
Liquid Therapy, an inspiring organisation which provides ocean, surf and water therapy to young people with physical and mental difficulties, was named the National Lottery Good Cause of the Year 2019.
They also won the Sport & Recreation Category at the gala event held in the Clayton Ballsbridge Hotel in Dublin.
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The National Lottery Good Causes Awards honour the inspiring work and achievements of thousands of projects, clubs and individuals from all over Ireland who, with the help of National Lottery Good Causes funding, have had an extraordinary impact on their local communities.
Established in 2011 in Bundoran, Liquid Therapy provide one-to-one support for young people who want to experience surfing but are unable to participate in mainstream opportunities due to various physical, emotional, behavioural or intellectual barriers.
The group's mantra is that everybody should be able to benefit from the therapeutic experience of the ocean.
Tom Losey, founder and director of Liquid Therapy, said he was 'stunned' at the accolade.
'We are absolutely thrilled to have won the award and we are absolutely stunned,' he said.
'This award is dedicated to our surfers, our families, our volunteers, our community and our supporters. It caps off an amazing 2019 for Liquid Therapy and we cannot wait for the adventures of 2020!'
Some 36 finalists from around the country gathered for the glittering awards ceremony and dinner, hosted by broadcaster Grainne Seoige with support from social media personality James Patrice.
National Lottery CEO Andrew Algeo congratulated the six category winners on the evening.
'These are just a few of the 4,000 or so great causes that are improve life in Ireland and which are funded each year by National Lottery play. It’s a real motivator and inspiration for all of us at the National Lottery to see that funding helping to work the wonders that these finalists do, for others.'
The six category winners received €10,000 each, whilst the overall Good Cause of the Year, Liquid Therapy, received an additional €25,000.
The National Lottery Good Cause Awards winners 2019 are:
· National Lottery Good Cause of the Year and winner of Sport & Recreation Category: Liquid Therapy
· Community: Social Action Group Rathmore
· Arts & Culture: Kids Own Publishing Partnership
· Heritage: Abbeyleix Bog Project
· Youth: YoYo Youth Café
· Health & Wellbeing: Cuisle Cancer Support Centre
· Irish Language: Fáilte ar Líne (DCU)
Almost 30 cent in every €1 spent on National Lottery games goes back to Good Causes in the areas of sport, youth, health, welfare, education, arts, heritage and the Irish Language.
In total, more than €5.5 billion has been raised for Good Causes since the National Lottery was established 32 years ago.
In 2018 alone, more than €228 million was raised, the equivalent of €625,000 a day.
For more news on the National Lottery Good Causes Awards see here.
