Cork charities benefit from donations under Pay It Forward initiative

Two Cork-based charities are to benefit from a new scheme that is designed to pay kindness forward.

Today, on what is World Pay It Forward Day, Cork charity Bear’s Paw It Forward becomes the second Irish organisation to receive a €2,000 donation as part of the Pay It Forward campaign, thanks to a nomination by its fellow Leeside charity, Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland (AADI).

The initiative, promoted in Ireland by Ecclesiastical Insurance and developed by Ecclesiastical’s parent company, Benefact Group, empowers charities to pass on donations to other causes.

AADI was announced as the first Irish recipient, earlier this month, and today marks the next step in the chain of kindness, as they pay it forward to Bear’s Paw It Forward, an organisation that supports animal rescues and homeless individuals with pets across Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Pilot initiative

Pay It Forward is a new pilot initiative that puts the power of giving in the hands of charities themselves.

The campaign began with five organisations across Ireland and the UK, each receiving a £2,000 or €2,000 donation.

In turn, they each nominate another charity to receive the next donation, creating a ripple effect, and, in total, 25 charities will benefit from the £50,000 (€59,000) fund.

The next five charities will be publicly announced on Monday, May 12.

AADI, based in Cork, was one of five charities across Ireland and the UK selected to kick off the initiative.

AADI trains highly skilled assistance dogs to support children who have autism, by helping them to manage any life-altering challenges, such as sensory overload, anxiety, and difficulty processing danger.

Accredited by Assistance Dogs International, AADI is Ireland’s first programme to meet global training standards.

AADI then chose to pay it forward to another Cork-based charity, Bear’s Paw It Forward.

This grassroots organisation supports animal shelters and homeless individuals with pets across Ireland and Northern Ireland by providing essential food and supplies.