Gateway members have been busy seeking out funding
opportunities for the project in 2014.
Following on from our recent application to the Dublin Bus Community Spirit awards for a special group project we are working towards, members are
also taking the opportunity to enlist some transport help from The Journey is On Us programme to organise a group trip later in the year.
Here's the info for any other groups
interested in applying:
Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail has launched the 2014
programme for The Journey’s on Us, an initiative to support organisations and
groups in the voluntary, community, sporting and charity sector.
“The Journey’s On Us”,will provide 100 groups with
a free group travel return journey for up to 50 people per group during 2014,
meaning 5,000 free journeys are on offer across the company’s services. The
travel facilities will be ideal in particular for organisations bringing a
group to a special event, or as part of a specific support to the members of
the group which requires travel.
Iarnród Éireann Chief Executive David Franks said
“Voluntary organisations are the life blood of communities across the country.
However, like everyone, their budgets have been cut. We know there are youth,
sports, music, voluntary, charity and other groups in the community who would
benefit greatly from being able to undertake initiatives which involve a travel
cost, but have had to scale back. We in Iarnród Éireann, through The Journey’s
On Us, want to do what we can to help such groups achieve their goals, and say
thank you to the organisations which play such a vital role in the daily lives
of communities. The initiative is now in its third year with the interest and
amount of groups applying has grown significantly each year, which we are
absolutely delighted with.”
The company has today invited all community,
voluntary, sporting and charity groups to apply for the 100 group travel trips
available. Entry forms are available at all Ianród Éireann stations or online
at www.irishrail.ie/journeys. Entry forms can be filled out online, emailed to
journeys@irishrail.ie or by post to Corporate Communications, Iarnród Éireann,
Connolly Station, Dublin 1. The closing date for receipt of entries is Monday
14 July, at 16.30hrs.
Last year, over 750 groups applied for the scheme,
and organisations ranging from Men’s Sheds to choirs, Special Olympics to Girl
Guides, and groups representing youth and elderly, benefited from ‘The
Journey’s on us’. Last year we offered for the first a special Prize for the
winning group that submitted the most interesting and inspirational account of
their day travelling with us. The winner of the prize was Special Hands
Activity Group from Kelly, Co. Meath.
The initiative is being supported nationally by RTÉ
Radio 1’s Mooney Show which will also feature successful groups throughout the
year.
