As the Halloween season draws to a close, communities across Ireland are beginning to get into the festive spirit.
To help make this year’s festivities even more special, Tesco Ireland has launched a new €100,000 Lighting Up Christmas Fund aimed at supporting towns and villages across the country.
Under the initiative, Tesco will award grants of €5,000 to 20 community organisations across Ireland. The funding can be used to support Christmas lights, festive displays, switch-on events and a range of seasonal activities that bring communities together and add to the magic of the festive season.
DECEMBER 12, 2019 Editorial credit: Eddie Jordan Photos / Shutterstock.com
The fund is designed not only to support Christmas celebrations but also to help boost the vibrancy of town centres during the festive period.
By supporting local events and displays, Tesco hopes to encourage families, neighbours and visitors to come together, enjoy festive activities and support local businesses.
The initiative comes as research found that 88% of people believe Christmas brings communities together, while 90% say Christmas lights mark the beginning of the festive season. The findings highlight the important role festive displays and community celebrations play in creating a sense of connection and anticipation at Christmas.
Communities across Ireland are invited to apply for the funding.
Applicants will be asked to outline why Christmas is important in their community and how the funding would help create a special festive experience in their town or village.
Palace Bar, Editorial credit: Andres Conema / Shutterstock.com
Louise Glennon, Head of Public Affairs and Community at Tesco Ireland, said the retailer wants to support the dedicated volunteers and community groups who work hard each year to create special festive moments, noting that lighting up a town can create “Moments of joy, pride and togetherness” for local communities.
Applications open on Monday, 19 October, and close at midnight on Sunday, 1 November. Successful applicants will be announced on 9 November, with Tesco set to celebrate the funded projects and the communities behind them throughout the festive season.
Full eligibility criteria and application details are available at: https://tescoireland.ie/lighting-up-christmas
Minister of State for Charities, Gaeltacht and the Islands & Rural Transport, Jerry Buttimer TD, welcomed the initiative, "Christmas traditions play an important role in community life, and the volunteers who organise festive lights and seasonal events make a hugely valuable contribution to towns and villages across Ireland."
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