An organisation which provides practical and emotional support services to families affected by cancer throughout Ireland has been named as the 2024 National Lottery Good Cause of the year, winning €35,000 in prize money.
Hand in Hand CLG works with families nationwide who are affected by cancer and give on-the-ground support to minimise the impact that both the diagnosis and frequent long-distance travel for treatment has on family life. These supports are completely free of charge and aim to alleviate some of the stress associated with a cancer diagnosis.
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.
Brendan Courtney, Chair of this year's Judging Panel, shared the reasons behind Hand in Hand’s win: “The judges selected Hand in Hand for its outstanding support to families of young people with cancer. This small charity steps in to handle everyday tasks, allowing parents to focus entirely on their child’s health and wellbeing. We were deeply moved by the charity’s far-reaching impact, offering critical relief and enhancing the quality of life for families across the country during such incredibly difficult times.”
A HSE National Lottery grant enabled Hand in Hand to provide tailor made packages of practical household support to families dealing with a cancer diagnosis. This included family meal delivery, household cleaning and laundry.
This year’s Good Causes Awards ceremony took place in Killashee House Hotel in Co. Kildare. Marty Whelan hosted the event and was joined by a star-studded line-up of guest presenters who handed out category awards, including TV personality Daithí O Sé, author and radio presenter Anna Geary, the inspiring Deborah Somorin, renowned architect and TV presenter Hugh Wallace and dancing sensation Arthur Gourounlian.
Chair of PLI Vivienne Jupp had the honour of presenting Hand in Hand CLG with the overall Good Cause of the year award.
On presenting the coveted Award, Vivienne said: "It’s a true privilege to present this award to Hand in Hand Galway, a remarkable organisation that offers invaluable support to families going through some of the most challenging times imaginable. Their dedication to easing the burden for families dealing with a cancer diagnosis is truly inspiring, and the difference they make to these families is profound.
This evening, we are celebrating not just one incredible group but 35 exceptional organisations and community groups, each of which exemplifies the spirit of giving, compassion and resilience. Their work, across all corners of Ireland, continues to uplift and empower communities, offering hope and support when it is most needed. It has been deeply inspiring to witness the positive impact they have on so many lives.”
The Awards are made up of seven categories: Sport, Health & Wellbeing, Heritage, Arts & Culture, Community, Youth and Irish Language.
A special award category, ‘Hero of the Year’, recognises the outstanding work done by an individual within an organisation.
This year’s Hero of the Year winner is Evelyn Neary, founder of Cian’s Kennels. In the face of deep personal loss, Evelyn has turned her grief into a powerful force for good. As the founder of Cian's Kennels, Evelyn built a dedicated team of volunteers, fostered crucial partnerships, and implemented strong governance to ensure the organisations success. Most importantly, she has brought comfort and joy to families during some of their most challenging times. “Imaginative. Resilient. Determined”, these are just a few words that encapsulate the remarkable spirit of the National Lottery Hero of the Year 2024, Evelyn Neary.
The seven category winners each received €10,000; the Hero of the Year received €5,000 and the overall Good Cause of the Year, Hand in Hand received an additional €25,000.
Cian Murphy, Chief Executive of the National Lottery, said: “On behalf of the National Lottery, I want to extend our warmest congratulations to Hand in Hand, as well as to all our outstanding category winners. The work you do to make a tangible, positive difference in people's lives is nothing short of inspiring. It’s been a true privilege to stand alongside such a diverse range of organisations, each benefiting from Good Causes funding, and each playing a vital role in creating a better, more compassionate society."
This year’s National Lottery Good Causes Award winners are:
National Lottery Good Cause of the Year – Hand in Hand CLG, Galway
Arts and Culture - Helium Arts, Westmeath
Community - South Meath Social Economy, Meath
Health and Wellbeing - Hand in Hand CLG, Galway
Heritage - Maharees Conservation Association, Kerry
Irish Language: Cill Dara le Gaeilge, Kildare
Sport: Mullingar Handball Club, Westmeath
Youth: Belong To LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland, Dublin
Hero of the Year: Evelyn Neary, Cian’s Kennels, Longford
Nearly 30 cent in every €1 spent on all 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 €6.5 billion has been raised for Good Causes since the National Lottery was established 36 years ago. In 2023 alone, €227.8 million was raised for local Good Causes in communities across Ireland.
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