Laois and Kildare community groups shortlisted for €10,000 Community Champions prize

Two Laois groups and a Kildare service for people with disabilities have been shortlisted for a €10,000 Community Champions award.

Supported by the Portlaoise-heaquartered People First Credit Union the winner will be announced at the upcoming Annual General Meeting of the Laois / Kildare credit union in January.

The three community groups to emerge successfully from the judge process are:

• Portlaoise Community First Responders;
• VIP HUB, Laois;
• Irish Wheelchair Association Athy.

The Portlaoise Community First Responders project aims to install three Public Access AEDs within the Portlaoise community, increasing access to lifesaving equipment in the event of a cardiac arrest.

Their long-term vision is to have an AED available within a 1 km radius across the community, to help ensure faster response times and greater peace of mind for everyone living, working and visiting Portlaoise.

The VIP Hub plans to host an inclusive sports event in Laois for children and adults with disabilities, bringing together Para and Special Olympics athletes across multiple sports in 2026.

Taking place over two days next August across venues in Portlaoise, Vicarstown and Clonaslee, the event will include GAA for All and Soccer for All and marks the launch of the Laois Inclusion Games, which aims to celebrate inclusion, sport and community spirit. 

Finally, the Irish Wheelchair Association Athy wants to create an accessible outdoor learning and arts space which they say will be an inclusive, eco-friendly area where members can learn, create and connect. Designed with universal access, the Athy branch says it will transform an underused space into a vibrant hub for workshops, sensory learning, outdoor arts and community projects, while promoting sustainability and biodiversity.

This is the third year of the Community Champions Award, which People First says aims to recognise and support the extraordinary efforts of local volunteer groups in its common bond area that includes Portlaoise, Stradbally, Abbeyleix, Athy and surround.

The previous winners were Portlaoise Tidy Towns and the Ballinakill Community Development Association.

Carol Murphy, Marketing Manager for People First Credit Union, highlighted the importance of volunteerism when promoting this year's edition. 

"Our credit union is powered by the spirit of volunteerism. It is with great pride that we continue the Community Champions Award, for a third year, building on the success of last year’s winner, Ballinakill Community Development Association, and their virtual tour project," she said.

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The shortlisted groups were required to provide detailed breakdowns of the costings of their proposed projects, as well as demonstrating the sustainability and environmental awareness of their planned initiatives. Applicants have also highlighted any elements of their project that contribute to long-term community, environmental, or social benefit. MORE BELOW PHOTO:

Pictured are Carol Murphy & Belinda Gyves of People First Credit Union. Photo: Denis Byrne

People First Credit Union thanks Laois County Council, Laois Public Participation Network, and their voluntary Community Funding Committee for their support and collaboration on this initiative.