Louth Village look to raise money for community centre

St. Mochtas G.F.C. have kindly partnered with the Louth Village Community Centre on their forthcoming 24-hour Walk, in a unique partnership to raise the €10,000 needed to reopen the Louth Village Community Centre/Hub.

The walk will start on Friday 27th September and conclude at 6pm on Saturday 28th September. The initiative will raise money for the running of the Mochtas GAA club and to raise the funds required to reopen the Community Centre. 

This is an excellent example of the community groups within the village coming together. Local charity the Friends of Liam Foundation have been the standard partner for this event for a number of years but have kindly directed their efforts to the reopening of the centre.

The Community Centre has been closed since July 2023 due to damage caused to the floor by a water leak, which affected the main hall and kitchen areas. The suspended timber floor was deemed to be unsafe and complete replacement of the floor is required.

The negative effect of the closure on local community life has been significant as the centre is used by many local groups including the Teddy Bear Club, Monday Club, Bowling, Girl Guides, Brownies, Youth Clubs, Dance Groups and Taekwondo. 

The cost of the repair works will be met in the main by a funding application which is currently being finalised. However, this will still leave a shortfall of €10.000 which will need to be met by local fundraising efforts. 

Without this funding the hall will remain closed. 

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The community are being asked to play their part by taking part in the 24-Hour Walk or by contributing via the sponsorship cards which are being distributed widely. For those who would like to donate online, they can do so at www.gofund.me/d8fa4bc

Barry Eaton of the Louth Village Community Hub Committee stressed the importance of reopening the centre. He said “the village is experiencing huge growth in terms of its population. The Community Hub is at the heart of Louth Village life and bringing people together. It is vital that the centre reopens so that it can once again provide a welcome space for everyone to meet, interact and forge positive relationships.

“We urge everyone to get behind this unique fundraising effort to reach the €10,000 target and reopen the centre which would be a great boost for the village. We would also like to express our gratitude to St. Mochta’s G.F.C, the Friends of Liam Foundation and all the local groups and individuals who have gotten behind this fundraising campaign”.

Denis McArdle of St. Mochta’s G.F.C. believes that the collaboration of local groups can only benefit the entire village. He said “we are delighted that our annual 24-Hour Walk is going from strength to strength and that we will play our part in getting the Community Centre reopened. We urge all local people to contribute in any way they can and appreciate the ongoing support of the community”.