The Attic Foróige Youth Café in Longford town has won the ‘permanent tsb Foróige Youth Citizenship Awards 2011’ with a recession busting Discount Card  encouraging young people to shop local in return for a 10% discount in participating local stores.  The ‘permanent tsb Foróige Youth Citizenship Awards’ honour the work of young people who have undertaken projects which make a positive difference to communities both at home and abroad. 

 

The Longford Youth’s Discount Card initiative invites local businesses to sign up to the card scheme for a fee of €52 (€1 per week for a year) in return for marketing opportunities among thousands of young people via text alerts, social networking sites and word of mouth. The card, supported by the local Garda Superintendent, also doubles up as an official underage ID Card - the only such card in the country.    

 

Ciara Fallon (aged 16) from the Attic Youth Café said, “We are absolutely delighted to win this award.  It was very obvious to us that the recession was hitting our town badly and we wanted to do something about it and that’s when we came up with the Discount Card idea for our citizenship project. It has received great support from local businesses and us young people don’t have to pay full price for our stuff anymore, so everyone is happy.”

 

David Guinane, Chief Executive of permanent tsb said, “This is a great story about inspiring young people who are a credit to their club, their community and their families.”

 

Mairi McMahon, Chairperson, National Council of Foróige said, “This project is current, it is ongoing, it generates endless positivity and makes a tangible difference.   The Youth Citizenship Awards showcase young people at their very best and give communities the opportunity to unite and celebrate local achievement.”

TV Appearance

The Longford Discount Card project was one of ten award finalists in contention for the overall prize who featured on ‘Ireland’s Top Teens’ on TV3 last night (Sunday 6^th November).  (Full List of finalists below).  Messages of support were sent to all the finalists from Bono, Louis Walsh, Laura Whitmore and Michael Flatley among others.  X factor star Mary Byrne sent a specific message to support The Attic Youth Café.  1,000 young people and a host of special guests attended the event and enjoyed performances from Jedward, Ryan Sheridan and Britain’s Got Talent dance stars ‘Flawless’.

 

permanent tsb Foróige Youth Citizenship Awards 2011

List of Finalists

 

WINNERS - Attic Foróige Youth Café, Co. Longford -  A Shop LocalDiscount Card initiative to help boost the local economy.

 

Ardagh Foróige Club, Co. Mayo  - An interactive online road safety awareness project.

 

Spiddal Foróige Club, Co. Galway - A fundraising project for an Orphanage in Kaoma, Zambia. 

 

Mini-Crotchets Peer Led Group, Donegal Youth Information Centre - A Music and Drama Summer Camp for 10-12 year olds and people with intellectual disability.

 

Southend Family Resource Centre Youth Group, Wexford -  A traditional boat building project to encourage anti-social behaviour and restore community pride.

 

Rathnew Legends, Co. Wicklow - A Technology Workshop for older people.

 

Fiat 500 Group, Dublin 15 – ARoad Safety project focusing on the dangers of speeding while actively discouraging joyriding.

 

NRG Youth Group, Co. Clare - A Domestic Violence Awareness Campaign.

 

Kinsale Foróige Club, Co. Cork - A Water Safety Project.

 

Balbriggan Youth Service, Co. Dublin- An alcohol free music festival promoting positive mental health.

 

Issued by:  Maria Whitmore, Gordon MRM, Ph: 087 2377105

See the videos from the event here and photos on our Facebook page.