Lottery winner’s generosity praised as facility opens

THE generosity of Strabane lottery winner, Margaret Loughrey, who passed away suddenly last month, was applauded at the official opening of a new facility in the town catering for adults with a learning disability.

Ms Loughrey won £27m in the Euromillions in 2013. Speaking at the opening of the new facility centre manager Anne Ramsey said, “It is particularly poignant that our benefactor Margaret Loughrey just recently passed away and is unable to see how her donation has ensured that we realise our vision for the future of disability services here in the North West.”

Ms Ramsey explained, “It is thanks to the generosity of Margaret, who provided a cash donation to New Horizons Partnership as well as a company vehicle, which resulted in this building. It is sad Margaret is not here today to see the vision being put in to a reality.”

A plaque in memory of Margaret Loughrey has been erected in the new centre.

Ms Ramsey further revealed that backing from another local lottery winner was also instrumental in creating the new centre.

She acknowledged support from the Kathleen Graham Trust explaining it had provided funding for the kitchen as well as the hair and beauty salon in the centre. The Kathleen Graham Trust was established by Glebe native Frances Connolly and her husband Patrick after the couple won £115m in the 2019 New Year’s Day Euromillions draw.

The impressive new facility boasts its own hair and beauty salon, music, drama and dance studio and a training kitchen with catering tutor Margaret O’ Kane delivering training twice-weekly in food preparation which is part of a programme in Independent Living Skills which is vital for trainees in preparation for their own futures. There is also an IT facility with a tablet purchased for each trainee during the Covid lockdowns to ensure connectivity and to enhance learning, social skills and fun interaction with peers.