Posted online: Oct 21st, 2011

A TOTAL of 24 charities and community groups in the Naas area are to receive €70,000 between them thanks to a donation from Oxegen promoters MCD.
Over the last three years, MCD has contributed approximately €400,000 to charities, community groups and sports clubs as an expression of gratitude to the local community for the overwhelming support they give Oxegen and to help ensure that the local area benefits from the festival.

Home in Naas
This year, the largest beneficiary will be Naas St Vincent de Paul who will receive €15,000. Among the other groups receiving significant donations are Barretstown, Naas Care Of The Aged and Nas Ni Ri Community Centre.
The world renowned festival has made its home in Punchestown since its debut year in 2004. Various groups from the surrounding area play an invaluable role over the festival weekend. Naas, Eadestown and Ballymore GAA clubs provide stewards for local residences while local scouts help campers set up tents on arrival and also aid staff in the recycling of tents and the big clean-up operation at the end.
Commenting on the donations, Kate Conway of St Vincent de Paul Naas said: “The funds donated on the back of the annual Oxegen concert will provide invaluable support to families in need in the local community. Given the current economic problems, fundraising is very difficult and the demand for support has never been greater. Oxegen provides invaluable support to the local economy and further support by the very generous donations made to charities and local community organisations”
Oxegen’s festival director John Probyn comments: “Oxegen would not be possible without the on-going co-operation and support of the local community. We hope that the donations help each of the recipient groups to continue to enrich the lives of the local community.”
CEO of North Kildare Chamber Allan Shine says: “The Oxegen festival has become synonymous with Kildare. It brings a much needed boost to the local economy, especially the hospitality sector.”
Among those to receive donations were: St Vincent de Paul €15,000, Nas Na Ri Community Centre €5,000, Ballymore Senior Citizens/GAA €3,000, Ballymore Tidy Towns €1,000, Ballymore Boxing Club €500, Ballymore Badminton Club €500, Eadestown Community Games €2,000, Kilteel/Eadestown Comhaltas €1,000, Rathmore Primary School Project €1,000, ISPCC €2,500, Niall Mellon Foundation €2,000, Naas Lyons Club €2,000, Injured Jockeys Fund €2,500, Tiglin €4,000, Naas Care of the Aged €5,000, Spina Bifida Kildare €2,500, Naas Tidy Towns €2,500, Naas Musical Society €2,500, Little Way €1,000, Jack&Jill €4,000, Kildare Civil Defence €1,000, Barrettstown €4,000, Kildare Pony Club €500, Homeless Naas €2,500 and Irish Horse Welfare Trust €2,500.