Girls from Drogheda’s Southside Project have taken on the challenge to plant 400 daffodil bulbs in the Rowan Heights area where their clubhouse is situated, nurture them and sell the flowers in the run up to next year’s Daffodil Day.
The idea for “The Daffodil Challenge” first came to Independent Senator Sharon Keogan in 2019 when she funded packs of daffodils for 50 youth groups and schools to plant daffodils and raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society
The pandemic put a stop to the initiative for a couple of years but this year it was re-started and Sharon encouraged independent Councillors from around the country to get on board.
Councillor Paddy McQuillan loved the idea and nominated the Southside Project, which is run by the Louth Branch of Youth Work Ireland, to take on the challenge.
“This is a really good project in so many ways” Senator Keogan said. “It encourages active citizenship, it will brighten up the environment and of course raise funds for a very worthy cause.”
“I’d love to get one of the big supermarket chains or some other business to come on board as a national sponsor for the programme” she said.
Councillor McQuillan told Drogheda Life that he was delighted to become involved in the initiative.
“Monica and her group are doing stellar work in Rowan Heights” he said. “They are the ideal people for this initiative, the daffodils will really brighten up the area and will hopefully raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society.
“When Senator Keogan asked me to suggest organisations to become involved in the project Monica’s group sprang to mind immediately. Hopefully more groups will take on the challenge next year.”
Youth Work Ireland Louth encourages young people to become involved in activities to support their growth and development by recognising their potential, promoting self-esteem and creating opportunities so that they can participate equally in society.
They respond to the personal, social, developmental, cultural, and spiritual needs of young people in County Louth. We highlight and address the issues which most affect them.
Through their services they endeavour to alleviate disadvantage and social exclusion by highlighting the needs that are specific to those most at risk in these areas:
- Drug and Alcohol Awareness Programmes
- Young Mothers Projects
- Young Women’s Support Programme
- Early School Leavers and School Completion Projects
- Community Based Youth and Community Projects
- Garda Youth Division Projects
- Training Support and Insurance for Youth Clubs
- Cross Border Youth Initiatives
- Youth Information Service
- Afterschool Community Services
