£8K CASH BOOST FOR LOCAL CHARITIES
Boost’s ‘Always in Your Corner’ campaign rewards community groups
Boost Drinks, the owner of Northern Ireland’s largest selling soft drink brand within the local independent convenience channel*, has awarded four local community groups with a share of £8k.
Brain Injury Matters, Belfast and Lisburn Community Project, In This Together and Action Mental Health were each awarded £2k as part of Boost’s ‘Always In Your Corner’ campaign launched to celebrate 20 years in Northern Ireland.
Adrian Hipkiss, Marketing and International Business Director at Boost, said: “Boost fans have been in our corner for the last two decades and are the reason we have been so successful in NI. Over the last two decades, we have worked with numerous charities to support the remarkable work they do for the people here. We have supported up and coming sporting talent, championed numerous projects and showed up for students and NHS workers when they needed a boost. We’re continuing that good with our ‘Always in Your Corner’ campaign and by rewarding these incredible community groups and good causes across the country.”
Belfast and Lisburn Community Project was awarded £2k to help with their commitment to preventing and ending homelessness in the local community. The group used the grant to restart a homeless shelter which had been turned into ruins due to the pandemic, facilitating emergency accommodation for those people facing homelessness and relief from hunger and thirst for vulnerable people living on the streets.
In This Together, who raise funds and promote initiatives to serve people who need them most, also benefitted from a funding boost. The organisation raises awareness of and takes action against some of the most pressing issues in society. The group used their much-needed grant to support individuals and families facing real financial hardship, by offering food provisions at a social supermarket on a weekly basis.
Action Mental Health were awarded a grant to assist their work in supporting the recovery of people with mental health issues across NI, through the provision of person-centred training and employment services. The funds were used for a series of workshops and day trips to support men, helping them to reconnect, reducing isolation and loneliness and strengthening togetherness.
Brain Injury Matters supports children, young people and adults affected by brain injury. The group was awarded £2k which was used for its ‘Good to Grow’ gardening programme, designed to improve the mental health of its service users by enhancing their social connections, and helping them learn new skills.
Adrian continued: “We at Boost Drinks are very honoured to support these organisations in the admirable work they do every single day through extraordinary, ongoing community service to truly facilitate change.
“We are firm believers in supporting activity at a local level. The work carried out by each of these organisations is amazing and we can’t wait to see how they progress. Congratulations to all four groups from everyone at Boost Drinks and thank you for the dedication you show to your local communities every single day.” said Adrian.
Joanne Thompson, Community Liaison Officer, In This Together, said: “We would have been lost without the donation from Boost Drinks to help put food on the table for many of our clients. We started off supporting two households four years ago and we now support 495 households so this donation has been fundamental in helping us provide necessities for those in need each day. A lot of people are struggling to put the heating on at the moment so it’s vital we keep receiving donations which we are ever so grateful for. Our clients come to us once a week to get their necessities and a lot of them were delighted to see the donation of Boost Drinks products too, as they see Boost as a real treat.”Treasa Rice, Engagement Manager, Brain Injury Matters, said: “Brain Injury Matters were delighted to receive the funding from Boost Drinks for our Good to Grow Project. The funds allowed us to create a garden to enhance the external environment around our offices. Participants had the chance to learn new skills including planting, nurturing and harvesting herbs, giving them a fantastic sense of achievement. The project also helped to improve participants’ mood, as well as developing social interaction and providing invaluable support and friendship. We are excited to see how the garden evolves over the coming months and years.”
*IRI NI Convenience unit sales to April 2023