Noel Frisby Presents Fundraising Cheque to Respond for Johns College

Local businessman and entrepreneur Noel Frisby was in Johns College last week to present a cheque for €50,000 to Father Patrick Cogan, Founding Director, Respond Housing to develop essential services for Older People and people with specific needs and requirements within the Johns College campus.

According to Philip O’ Reilly, National Co-ordinator of Services for Older People with Respond Housing Association:

“Noel kindly agreed to help us with our fundraising efforts last year and became lead sponsor of our fundraising campaign. We are extremely grateful to Noel, Aidan Barrett, our Support Committee and all of the businesses in Waterford and the southeast region who donated or helped in any way with our campaign. The monies raised will be used to develop essential services including a sensory garden, community education hub and an activation centre. These services will enable and empower our tenants to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible”.

The impressive new development includes 21 new apartments in the College itself, with a 10-bed group home and 36 new-build one-bed apartments adjoining the Folly. There are a number of essential support services within Johns College including a Community Education Centre, Activation Room, Gymnasium and a Sensory Garden for Older People and people with specific needs and requirements.

According to Noel:

“I am delighted to see Johns College restored and redeveloped into apartments for Older People and people with specific needs. This really is a great news story for Waterford and will benefit a significant number of Older People on the housing list. I would like to thank sincerely all of the extremely generous businesses who contributed an impressive sum of €50,000 to this very worthy fundraising campaign.

Respond was founded in Waterford in 1981 by Franciscans and incorporated in 1982. To date, Respond has provided some 5,500 dwelling units for families, homeless and disabled persons, older persons and those in need, right across the country.