A Limavady-based organisation has received a cheque for £400 after taking part in ‘Pitching for Pounds’, a new pilot scheme run by the Halifax Foundation for Northern Ireland.
Assistance Dogs NI was one of eight organisations chosen out of 133 applicants to pitch for two top awards of £15,000.
The organisation, which trains dogs to be used by families with autistic children, is seeking to build kennels which would be used to house the dogs on a temporary basis to give their volunteer dog trainers a break.
Patricia Whyte and Geraldine McGaughey of Assistance Dogs NI told the judging panel that they currently have 29 dogs helping to change the lives of people in Northern Ireland with a further ten puppies in training.
They pitched their new ideas in front of a judging panel of Halifax Foundation trustees.
Imelda McMillan, chair of the judging panel, hoped the programme would be even bigger next year.
“We were very impressed by the standard of pitching and the quality of the ideas put forward by all eight organisations, each of which was more than deserving of grants but we had to pick two winners. We would like to congratulate Assistance Dogs NI on their excellent work.”
Before the pitching session took place, all eight charities were given some tips for their presentations by Matthew Teague of Entrepreneurial Spark, who said: “What an amazing programme and opportunity for Northern Ireland's social entrepreneurs to put forward creative and innovative ways of delivering positive social impact in local communities.”
For more information about the work of the Foundation go to www.halifaxfoundationni.org
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