To help fund a number of important projects in the pipeline for Castlelyons, tickets are about to go on sale for a six-month community draw to be held by Castlelyons Community Council.

Commencing next March and finishing in August in conjunction with Castlelyons Carnival, there will be monthly prizes of €1,000, €500 and 5 prizes of €100.

Tickets are €10 per month or €50 for the six months if paid in full at commencement of the draw, meaning one free draw.

All members of the parish and beyond are asked to please support this community effort when ticket sellers call. There are many projects in the pipeline as we need to have funds available in advance of applying for any grant aid. Grants are usually given on a matching funding basis 50/50.

Hopefully, applications for funding to Avondhu Blackwater Partnership may be successful this year, as the council were excluded for a number of years.

With the support of the community, anything can be achieved. Should you feel that you could assist selling tickets, your efforts will be most welcome.

At present, definite aims are the resurfacing opf the the all-weather walkway and laying tarmacadam on the upper car park, both of these projects in Fr Ferris Park.

There are many other needs in this area and hopefully we can get to them in the near future – everything is dependent on the support these community fundraising efforts receive.