Joy as long-awaited community car sponsored by well-known Kildare business set to launch this weekend

A long-sought after community car, which is sponsored by Joe Mallon Motors, is set to launch near the Kildare-Meath border.

The Balyna Rural Enterprise Development Association (BREDA) Community Resource Centre, which is based in Johnstownbridge, began fundraising for its community car back in December of 2022.

According to a statement from the Centre: "When we first discussed the idea, we thought we would be raising money for two or more years to get to the point where we could actually purchase the car.

"Our first call was to Anthony Mallon of Joe Mallon Motors, who immediately came onboard with us and offered sponsorship and advice."

The Centre continued: "We then took to the idea, costed the project and made contact with various local businesses to assess their interest in being involved with our project.

"We were astounded at the response that we got from the businesses we approached, and from there, the project seemed to suddenly take on wings and fly."

The Centre further said that while it received sponsorship from Drehid and the National Lottery Fund, it also praised the generosity of the community in Balyna, saying that the community's support 'really touched us and encouraged us to get the project over the line within the year."

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According to the Centre, the community helped it to raise funds through a number of different avenues, including a social night, tractor runs and collections at the gate at a GAA match.

The Centre added: "No one could have envisaged the community spirit and goodness which has brought us to this point, where we are now launching our community car on December 10 at the Hamlet Court Hotel.

"The BREDA Centre has been serving the community of Balyna for 30 years this December, and we will celebrate this with Mass on December 10 at 9.30am in Johnstownbridge, which will be dedicated to members past and present of the BREDA Community Resource Centre.

"We will then follow over to the Hamlet Court Hotel, where we will launch the BREDA community car."

Concluding its statement, the Centra appealed to the general public: "We would love if you would join us on the day to celebrate."

For further information about the BREDA Community Resource Centre and to see further examples of activities and groups that it hosts, click here.