'Over the moon' - Laois volunteer group for people with disabilities win €10K award

VIP Hub in Portlaoise has been announced as the winner of the People First Credit Union Community Champions Award, winning €10,000 for their outstanding contribution to the local community. 

VIP Hub was established to help increase sport and physical activity opportunities for people in Laois with physical disabilities and visual impairments.

The hub promotes inclusion and training as well as collaboration with local and national organisations to expand accessible sports opportunities. 

Three shortlisted finalists for the Community Champions Award were highlighted at the People First Credit Union AGM in the Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise. The shortlisted groups were VIP Hub, Portlaoise Community First Responders, and the Irish Wheelchair Association Athy.

The special award of €10,000 recognises outstanding community initiatives such as these groups. 

VIP Hub were ultimately crowned the winners on the night, receiving the phenomenal prize money for their contribution to the community.

The award acknowledges the organisation’s exceptional work supporting athletes with visual and physical impairments across County Laois.

Founded eight years ago as a volunteer-led initiative and now recognised through Sport Ireland, VIP Hub supports over 100 athletes across a wide range of para and inclusive sports.

The organisation plans to use the funding to deliver the Laois Inclusion Games, a two-day inclusive sporting event for children and adults with disabilities, scheduled to take place next August.

Commenting on their win, Coordinator at VIP Hub, Tracey Percy said: "The VIP Hub is over the moon to have received the People First Credit Union Community Champions award. Our project is to create the first Laois Inclusion Games. The hub currently supports and trains athletes with a visual or physical disability across multiple sports.

"Our aim is to highlight the phenomenal work being done by our athletes and coaches here in Laois. We look forward to working with local clubs, local authorities, Laois Sports Partnership and national sporting bodies to create a fantastic weekend of inclusive sports. A massive thank you to the People first credit union for recognising and supporting our unbelievable team."

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Congratulating VIP Hub, People First Credit Union's Marketing Manager and Chair of the Community Funding Committee, Carol Murphy said: "Our community funding and Community Champions initiatives are about creating lasting impact. We are proud to support projects that improve quality of life, promote inclusion and sustainability, and strengthen the social fabric of our common bond.

"None of this would be possible without the continued support of our members. Every time they choose us as their financial provider for loans, mortgages, current accounts it allows us to put money back into the community."