The major door-to-door fund-raising drive in Ballinrobe to rebuild the local Town Hall has passed the €100,000 mark – over one quarter of the local fund-raising target.
“The response from people has been very encouraging. On the doorsteps, people are telling us that they feel the town needs a Town Hall and they are digging deep to support the project,” said Ballinrobe Town Hall chairperson Michael Sweeney.
“We got a huge boost at a committee meeting last when it was revealed that not alone had we passed the €100,000 mark, but that we were fast on our way to €110,000.
“Private residents and businesspeople have all been very supportive. Clubs and organisations have also rallied around with donations and fund-raisers of various types, and others are planning events in the future.”
The campaign continues apace with this phase of the fundraising drive set to conclude at the end of August.
“If you are expecting a first call, or call back, from our collectors, and it hasn’t happened, please let any member of the committee know. Equally, a number of people have committed to donating, but weren’t in a position to do when our callers visited – they can make the donation to any member of the committee” added Michael.
A target of €400,000 in business and private contributions has been set as Ballinrobe aims to restore the old Hall, which closed in 1996.
“We estimate that we will receive between €800,000 and €900,000 in local and central Government and agency funding, which will require Ballinrobe to come up with approximately €400,000 to fund the project. The overall cost has been independently costed at just short of €1.3m,” added Michael.
Once the door-to-door phase is completed, the committee will focus on holding a number of events and on approaching the Ballinrobe Diaspora for support.
Anyone interested in supporting this major project should contact Chairperson Michael Sweeney (087 2588 615) or Secretary Siobhan O’Malley (087 207 2307).
Committee: Chairperson Michael Sweeney, Secretary Siobhan O’Malley, Treasurer Sean O’Connell, PRO Liam Horan, Michael Burke (Vice-chairperson), Rory O’Neill, Tony Walkin, Margot O’Shea, Mary Jackson, Marie O’Haire, Gwen Costello, Des May, Sheena Duddy, Clare O’Neill, Aidrienne Gleeson, Liz Kelleher, Cllr Damien Ryan, Cllr Patsy O’Brien.
