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  • Community Champions Award 2024
Community Champions Award 2024

31 January 2025

Community Champions Award 2024

People First Credit Union Announces the third annual 'Community Champions Award' of €10,000!

People First Credit Union is thrilled to announce Ballinakill Community Development Association as the proud recipient of the 'Community Champions Award' at People First Credit Unions AGM held at the Clanard Court Hotel Athy on Wednesday, 29th January. The 'Community Champions Award,' a generous €10,000 prize, was introduced to recognize and support the outstanding efforts of local volunteers within People First Credit Union's common bond area of Portlaoise, Abbeyleix, Athy and Stradbally. The selection process involved a rigorous evaluation of the nominees, with Ballinakill Community Development Association emerging as the distinguished winner among three finalists, which also included Athy Sing and Sign and Abbeyleix Community Garden.

Ballinakill Community Development Association

Their Virtual Tour Project is an outstanding initiative that showcases Ballinakill’s rich history, highlights local business sites, and promotes the village's facilities. This innovative project not only celebrates the village’s heritage but also encourages active lifestyles, boosts tourism, and fosters community engagement both online and offline.


Both runners up, Athy Sing and Sign and Abbeyleix Community Garden were also awarded with €2,000 each towards their projects.


Athy Sing and Sign

The club was founded in 2005 by Aiden Mchugh. Aiden is a PAL President Award Leader and he encouraged young teenagers to learn Irish Sign Language as part of their personal skill for the Gaisce awards. In 2007 Maggie Owens became their new ISL teacher and together they formed the Athy Sing & Sign Club where young people and teenagers of Athy and surrounding areas learn ISL in a fun and informal way. To date hundreds of teenagers have joined, learned and are now competent in I.S.L.


Abbeyleix Community Garden

A garden for the community and by the community. A coming together of the community to explore, learn and create a social productive space of self reliance in vegetable and fruit growing. This incredible project has created a vibrant community space, promoting sustainability, connection, and a love for nature.


The application process for the 'Community Champions Award' remains simple and accessible.

Application forms are available here.


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Community Champions Award 2024

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Portlaoise Branch

Address:
Head Office James Fintan Lalor Avenue, Portlaoise, Co. Laois, Ireland, R32 XE18
Tel:
057 862 2594
Email:
info@peoplefirstcu.ie
Web:
www.peoplefirstcu.ie
Latitude:
53.0316443
Longitude:
-7.2995889
We're Open:
Tuesday 09:15 - 17:00
Wednesday 10:00 - 17:00
Thursday 09:15 - 17:00
Friday 09:15 - 18:00
Saturday 09:15 - 13:00

Abbeyleix Branch

Address:
Credit Union House Main Street, Abbeyleix, Co. Laois, Ireland, R32 XHH0
Tel:
057 862 2594
Email:
info@peoplefirstcu.ie
Web:
www.peoplefirstcu.ie
Latitude:
52.9120133
Longitude:
-7.3521341
We're Open:
Tuesday 09:15 - 17:00 *
Wednesday 10:00 - 17:00 *
Thursday 09:15 - 17.00 *
Friday 09:15 - 18:00
Saturday 09:15 - 12:45

Closed for lunch Tuesday - Thursday from 12.30 pm to 1.30 pm.
Open through lunch on Friday.

Athy Branch

Address:
13-14 Emily Square, Athy, Co. Kildare, Ireland, R14 XV40
Tel:
057 862 2594
Email:
info@peoplefirstcu.ie
Web:
www.peoplefirstcu.ie
Latitude:
52.9912234
Longitude:
-6.9852183
We're Open:
Monday 09:30 - 17:00 *
Tuesday 09:30 - 17:00 *
Wednesday 10:00 - 17:00 *
Thursday 09:30 - 17:00 *
Friday 09:30 - 18:00

Closed for lunch Monday - Thursday from 12.30 pm to 1.30 pm.
Open through lunch on Friday.

Stradbally Branch

Address:
Unit 2 SuperValu Shopping Centre, Stradbally, Co. Laois, Ireland, R32 KX94
Tel:
057 862 2594
Email:
info@peoplefirstcu.ie
Web:
www.peoplefirstcu.ie
Latitude:
53.017546
Longitude:
-7.150798
We're Open:
Tuesday 09:15 - 17:00 *
Wednesday 10:00 - 17:00 *
Thursday 09:15 - 17:00 *
Friday 09:15 - 18:00 *
Saturday 09:15 - 13:00

Closed for lunch Tuesday-Friday from 12.45pm to 1.30pm.

Loan Office opening hours ¦ Foreign Exchange opening hours

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People First Credit Union Ltd is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Reg No. 137CU

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