Little Heroes NI has been awarded £15,000 through the fifth annual AIB Community €1 Million Fund, as one of 11 UK charities selected by local communities to receive funding this year. The award will help the charity continue its important work supporting sick children and their families at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children in Belfast.
The announcement reflects community support from across Ireland and the UK, with AIB customers, the wider public and employees spotlighting the charities making a real difference in the places where they live, work and volunteer. Since it was first launched in 2022, the AIB Community €1 Million Fund has supported almost 300 charities including Northern Ireland organisations such as Royal National Lifeboat Institution, Belfast Tool Library and Down Right Brilliant.
This year, the Fund will again share support with organisations that are deeply rooted in their communities, from local services and volunteer-led groups to charities responding to everyday needs.
Through the Fund, AIB is allocating €700,000 to charities nominated by customers and the wider public, helping community organisations across Ireland and the UK continue their vital work. A further €300,000 will be donated to charities selected by AIB employees.
To mark AIB’s 60th anniversary, the Bank has made a one-off additional contribution of €60,000 to the Fund. This will provide an extra £10,000 for the UK region, helping even more community projects and initiatives reach the people who need them most.
Speaking about the support, Mary McCall, Chief Executive Officer of Little Heroes NI said: “This means so much to our charity because it came from the community around us. Every nomination is a reminder that people see the work being done here every day by our staff, volunteers, supporters and the people who use our services.”
“This funding will support the Little Heroes ‘Ivan Martin Family Support Fund’, allowing us to provide immediate, practical financial support to families whose children are receiving care at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children. Working with the hospital’s social work team, we will help families facing significant financial pressures at an already incredibly difficult time. We are very grateful to everyone who took the time to nominate us, and to AIB for creating a fund that recognises the role local charities play in keeping communities connected, supported and strong.”
Little Heroes supports sick children and their families across Northern Ireland through its work with the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children. The charity helps fund vital medical equipment, family support services and initiatives that make a hospital stay more comfortable for young patients. Funding from the AIB Community Fund will help Little Heroes continue providing practical support and enhancing the experience of children receiving treatment and care.
Speaking about the Fund, Head of Retail & NI at AIB, Brian Gillan said: “Congratulations to all of the organisations receiving support through this year’s AIB Community €1 Million Fund. The quality and breadth of nominations received once again demonstrated the extraordinary contribution charities and community groups make to communities across Northern Ireland every day.
What stood out most was the passion with which people supported and championed local organisations. The response showed just how valued these groups are and the important role they play in helping individuals and communities thrive.
As AIB celebrates its 60th anniversary, we were delighted to increase the funding available this year, enabling us to support even more organisations doing vital work across Northern Ireland. We look forward to seeing the difference this funding will make and thank everyone who took the time to nominate a charity or community group.”
For more information on Little Heroes visit https://littleheroesni.org/
For more information on the impact of AIB Community 1 million Fund in Northern Ireland visit aibni.co.uk/community