Athlone Sub Aqua and local Order of Malta given key funding for new vehicles

Athlone Sub Aqua Club is to receive some €40k in funding to secure a four-wheel-drive vehicle.

The allocation is part of €2 million funding for 37 vehicles for Mobility, Cancer Care and Community First Responders announced nationally today by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys.

The funding under the CLÁR programme is designed to provide funding for vehicles to provide essential transport for those with mobility issues and cancer care patients and to support sea and cliff rescue services and sub aqua search and rescue service.

Athlone Sub Aqua Club will be allocated €40,033 under the scheme, whilst the Order of Malta organisations in Westmeath and Roscommon will each receive €65,000 for use in providing a community ambulance.

The Irish Wheelchair Association in Roscommon has been granted some €40,785 for the provision of an adapted vehicle.

Announcing the successful projects, Minister Humphreys said:

“It is wonderful to be supporting these vital services in our community. Each of the recipients of funding today play a critical role providing essential services to members of the public who are most in need, including by bringing them free of charge, to cancer treatment and to day care centres.

“They also provide essential transport services for blood samples and medication and, equally important, delivering search and rescue services. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to these organisations and the individuals who work with them and it is my great pleasure to support them through this investment.”