Blacks Gate Construction fund bringing benefit to community

Kevin Watson Group & Radius Housing Association present £1500 to local clubs

Press release - 27th October 2020

Three locals sports and recreation organisations have become the latest beneficiaries of the Blacks Gate Construction Community Fund. O Donovan Rossa GAC, UU Tigers Basketball Club and St Michaels 31st Belfast Scouts have been presented with £500 by Radius Housing Association and the Kevin Watson Group. 

Kevin Watson Group is the lead contractor for Radius Housing’s Blacks Gate regeneration project, which is transforming the former Visteon factory site. The £30 million Blacks Gate development which will provide 244 new homes is one of the largest new build projects in Northern Ireland, and is supporting hundreds of on-site jobs. In addition Kevin Watson Group is supporting a number of apprenticeships on site, as well as wider community support projects. 

The three groups who have been awarded £500 each applied for the funding through an open call. The funding will help O Donovan Rossa GAC, UU Tigers Basketball Club and St Michaels 31st Belfast Scouts in their work within the local community, particularly their work with children and young people. 

Awarding the cheques, Shona Watson Director at KWG said “We are proud to be playing a small part in connecting with local sporting and community groups in the area who are in need of funding. This funding will allow them to continue doing what they do best, providing youth with an outlet which allows them to develop their skills both socially and physically. 

Kevin McDonnell Treasurer O Donovan Rossa GAC, Belfast commented "It's great to see the development at Blacks Gate, as it will provide much needed housing locally. We are delighted to be in receipt of this £500 donation from KWG and Radius as it will be very helpful in keeping our 40+ teams going in these difficult times.” 

Bronagh O’Kane, Radius Housing Regeneration Manager, added “We are delighted to be in a position to support each of the local clubs with this funding. In order to help support more employment opportunities and the work of local community organisations, Radius Housing has enhanced the standard Buy-Social contractual requirements on the Blacks Gate development contract to include opportunities to support local organisations who provide an invaluable contribution to their communities.” 

ENDS 

Further information:

Brendan Scott

MW Advocate

07834422923

brendan.scott@mwadvocate.com