Over 800 walkers stroll through SSE Airtricity’s Meentycat and Culliagh Wind Farms for local causes

Over 800 people walked through SSE Airtricity’s Meentycat and Culliagh Wind Farms in Co. Donegal yesterday (Saturday 26 September) to raise vital funding for local community projects.

The walkers, representing over 40 separate local community groups and bodies, completed a 15km route across a stunning rolling landscape as part of the annual SSE Airtricity Meentycat Community Fund Sponsored Walk. The yearly event raises funds for community groups in areas including Ballybofey, Cloghan, Convoy, Curragh, Drumkeen, Letterkenny, Stranorlar and the Finn Valley.

Through SSE Airtricity’s Community Fund programme, the money raised by participating groups in the walk is topped-up by annual payouts from the company. This is the ninth consecutive year of the SSE Airtricity Meentycat Community Fund Sponsored Walk, with community groups receiving over half a million euro in funding to date.

During the walk, participants enjoyed unrivalled views of some of Donegal’s scenic landmarks, including Mount Errigal to the northwest and Barnesmore Gap to the southwest, as well as catching a glimpse of the outskirts of Letterkenny town to the northeast. The walkers also had the opportunity to get up close with many of the 63 wind turbines at the two wind farms.

Anne Reynolds, SSE Airtricity Community Development Officer, said:

“At SSE Airtricity, we’re proud to make a positive difference to the communities closest to our wind farms. Through our Community Fund programme and fundraising events, we aim to contribute to the sustainable development of local community groups and projects. It was great to see another big turnout at this year’s SSE Airtricity Meentycat Community Fund Sponsored Walk. The money raised is a major boost for local groups and it’s always a fun and rewarding day for all involved.”

SSE Airtricity’s Meentycat Wind Farm is the largest wind farm in Ireland. Meentycat and the adjoining Culliagh Wind Farm near Lifford generate over 100MW of renewable energy combined.