THE members of the Enniskillen Round Table group are using the money they have been saving during the lockdown to raise funds for a very deserving local cause.

The fundraising group are asking members to donate what money that they otherwise would be spending if they were not in lockdown, with the monies raised to go to the Aisling Centre.

Speaking on behalf of Enniskillen Round Table, Chairman Richard Kennedy said: “Enniskillen Round Table are pleased to be raising money for the centre.

“The Aisling Centre was always going to be our chosen charity for this year, but fundraising options during lockdown are very limited, which is ironic because charities like the centre now more than ever need our support.”

The local Round Table group has been active in the community in Enniskillen for more than 70 years and currently has 18 local members.

They are part of the wider Round Table Great Britain and Ireland association, where members raise money for local charities and causes.

The group has been unable to raise money in its usual way, as Richard explained.

“As a group, we would normally meet up socially a couple of times a month; however, since Covid-19, this has been restricted to the odd Zoom [online] meeting.

“On a recent Zoom meeting, a group member pointed out that almost all of us would normally have some sort of monthly membership that we are not paying for during lockdown, so why not donate this money to the Aisling Centre and appeal for others to do the same?”

The group has asked people to consider donating money they would spend elsewhere: “So we ask you, if you have a gym membership or a sport club membership that you are not currently paying for, or even money that would normally be spent on eating out or socialising with friends in town, please consider donating to this worthy cause.”

Established in 1990, the Aisling Centre is dedicated to the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing, with the impact of the pandemic, lockdown and related matters seeing extra demand for its services.

Offering a free, professional and confidential counselling service, the money raised will be used to help the Aisling Centre provide telephone and e-counselling services.

Donations to the Round Table group’s fundraiser for the Aisling Centre can be made at https://localgiving.org/fundraising/enniskillenroundtable/.

Round table is a non-political, non-sectarian association of young men between the age of 18 and 45, embracing representatives of every profession and trade.

The main aim of the group is to promote fellowship, community spirit and social responsibility within the community. If you wish to join you can contact the organisation on Facebook or by emailing enniskillenroundtable@gmail.com.