Last year saw communities across the country come together like never before, and Bank of Ireland played a small part by supporting local projects that promote financial, physical and mental wellbeing.

Throughout the month of January, Leinster Rugby will bring you details from each county in Leinster about local causes that received support in the region of €3,500-5,000 from the 2020 Begin Together Community fund.

Longford is the first of the 12 counties of Leinster to feature where two local groups received grants from Bank of Ireland.

The first was Lough Ree Angling Hub, which promotes angling tourism in the Longford-Roscommon-Westmeath region.

The group also works hard to encourage the youth and the unemployed of the area to take up fishing as a healthy recreational activity by organising coaching and competitions.

Through one of its projects, ‘Fishing for Life after Redundancy’, the group arranges regular social activities for those who have lost their jobs. Working with Pieta House, it provides advice, information and support.

The other recipient was the Longford branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland, which is using the funding to implement and evaluate a community-based, physio programme under the direction and support of a qualified physiotherapist.

Exercising with people who have similar physical limitations can help those with MS to develop confidence.

Two brilliant and worthy causes working hard in their communities and we are delighted in Leinster Rugby to help highlight the work that they are doing for those in need.

Bank of Ireland’s Begin Together Community Fund will re-open for applications in the spring and works alongside Begin Together Arts Fund, and Begin Together Fund for Colleagues, as part of a multi-year commitment from Bank of Ireland to support communities and local charities.

To find out more information about Lough Ree Angling Hub, visit their website or follow them on Twitter.

To find out more information about MS Ireland, visit their website or follow them on Twitter.

Find out more about the ways Bank of Ireland supports communities, please check out www.bankofireland.com/Begintogether.