Westport Credit Union hailed for outstanding contribution to community after 21 local groups awarded funding

WESTPORT Credit Union has been lauded for 60 years of outstanding service to the community after 21 local groups benefited from its inaugural community fund.

Representatives from each successful group were present for a function at Westport Credit Union on Friday at a ceremony to mark the awarding of €100,000 under the community fund.

A total of 79 applications were made for the fund, which was subject to strict criteria. All applications were assessed based on the value it would provide to the local area.

An independent person sat on the credit union’s committee to ensure that the process was fair and equitable.

Mary Ward, a member of Westport Tennis Club, said Westport Credit Union had been a ‘fantastic’ support to their club.

“We have training balls … and they’re really beneficial in teaching kids and adults, beginner adults to play tennis, not this fast yellow ball hurdling at the net at you that you have no chance of returning, so it’s a gradual process,” she told The Mayo News.

“So all these props cost money and need to be replaced on a regular basis, so constant funding is always. Every club needs extra funding. It’s very hard to ask members to shell out all the time so it’s nice to have a reprieve from asking for money from our members. The Credit Union have been fantastic.”

Community minded

Ms Ward said that Westport Credit Union was ‘much more community-minded’ than commercial banks.

“They are so regulated and there is very little that managers and branches can do for you,” she explained.

“Everything has to go back through head office where the paper trail is a mile long and it takes forever to make a decision. You come in here and they ask basic criteria and they’re good for it.”

Michelle Finnerty, Chairperson of Cuilmore Comhaltas Ceoiltóirí Éireann in Newport, said they would use their funding from the Credit Union’s community fund for music stands and for uniforms for their members in the upcoming All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Wexford.

Ms Finnerty praised Westport Credit Union for supporting various groups in Newport, where it operates a branch on Fridays and Saturdays.

“[They are] so professional, so courteous and they go out of their way because it’s a local credit union there’s local people working in it, they know the people in the community and they know all the different groups that are out there and if they don’t know, they find out,” Ms Finnerty told The Mayo News.

“They provide just an excellent service for helping out all the different community groups and we would be, the Comhaltas, we support all the community activities in Newport as well.”

_{Mabel and Charlie Gray from Mayo 25th Louisburgh Scouts pictured at Westport Credit Union Pic: Conor McKeown}

Tributes

Pauline Ryan, CEO of Westport Credit Union, paid tribute to all the community groups in their area - which extends from Louisburgh to Achill - who applied for the community fund.

“We were overwhelmed by the interest shown in the fund. We had 79 applications, all of them were very worthy projects. It was much more difficult than we ever imagined to make the final selection,” she said.

“You all embody the spirit of community that we embrace, you commit your time and energy to making a difference. The projects, whether big or small, will have a positive impact on your own individual communities. By supporting these initiatives, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering a thriving, inclusive community where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.”

Tommy Gill, Chairman of Westport Credit Union, told The Mayo News that every application could have been of benefit to the community and said this year’s unsuccessful applications would be prioritised for next year’s funding allocation.

When asked what was the key to the success of Westport Credit Union since its foundation in 1964, Mr Gill said: “I think the fact that there are dedicated volunteers from day one, that met week on week to provide the service of community banking, has been key.”

He added: “Customers as well have been key, because they’ve supported the credit union and in doing so supported the community. So it’s a little bit of both but definitely the volunteers and staff.”