A Co Tyrone based mental health charity is appealing for public support in order to be crowned National Lottery Project of the Year 2022.
The Niamh Louise Foundation has been shortlisted from 1,300 nominations and has now reached the public voting stage in this year’s National Lottery Awards, which celebrate the inspirational people and projects funded by the lottery.
The Dungannon foundation was set up by Catherine McBennett following the death of her 15-year-old daughter Niamh McKee by suicide.
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There are 17 shortlisted finalists from across the UK, all of which will compete in a four-week public vote from 7th September to 7th October to be named the Project of the Year. Winners will receive a £5,000 cash prize for their project and a trophy.
Niamh Louise's Empowering Young Minds programme provides a care package to support young people aged 8-25 who may be in emotional distress.
Catherine said it would a be a great honour to recognised as the Project of the Year, and asked for people in Tyrone and further afield for their support.
“One of the Niamh Louise Foundation’s main projects is the National Lottery-funded Empowering Young Minds programme," Catherine said.
"It provides support to young people who have thoughts of suicide or self-harm or who have been bereaved by suicide.
“We have spent the last 16 years providing a safe community space for people to share their worries and provide care for anyone in crisis with thoughts of suicide or self-harm.
“We are extremely pleased to have been nominated for this award and it would be a great honour to be recognised as National Lottery Project of the Year.”
Jonathan Tuchner, from the National Lottery, added: “We are delighted to have received these outstanding nominations highlighting the excellent work that National Lottery-funded projects are doing in their local areas.
"In these challenging times, it is heartening to see so many people and projects dedicating their time and energy into giving something back to their communities."
To vote for The Niamh Louise Foundation, you can vote at lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards.
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