Fair play to the girls at the YouthWork Ireland (Louth) Southside Project who have grown daffodils and will be selling them tomorrow (Dafodill Day) outside Centra in Ballsgrove to raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society.

Tomorrow is of course Daffodil Day nationwide but these daffs are a bit special. The story began in October 2021 when the girls of the Southside Project planted 400 daffodil bulbs in planters around the estate to be ready for Daffodil Day 2022.

This was in response to “The Daffodil Challenge” which was the idea of Independent Senator Sharon Keogan who funded packs of daffodils for 50 youth groups and schools to plant and raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society. Local Councillor Paddy McQuillan nominated the Southside Project for the scheme.

Roll on another year and the second crop of the daffodils are ready to be harvested and once again the girls will be doing their bit for the Irish Cancer Society by selling their home-grown daffodils.

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