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12 Mar 2026

Grant from Asda Foundation boosts group classes for rural elderly in Park village

Park 60+ Group has 20 members and aims to foster connections between members of the rural community

Grant from Asda Foundation boosts group classes for rural elderly in Park village

Angela McGilligan (Chairperson and volunteer at Park 60+), Min McCann, (Community Development Officer with the Learmount Community Development Group) and Emma Kelly, (Asda Strabane Community Champion)

Reporter:

Staff Reporter

12 Mar 2026 11:30 AM

Email:

news@derrynow.com

A north-west luncheon club for over-60s has hosted armchair aerobics classes and meditation sessions for its members, thanks to a £600 grant from Asda’s charity, the Asda Foundation.
Based in Park village, Co Derry, Park 60+ Group has 20 members and aims to foster connections between members of the rural community.
Secretary and volunteer Karen O’Kane said: “Our members are rurally isolated and are often very lonely.  Park 60+ Group helps with this. By belonging to the group, they feel valued and part of the community. 
“The grant from the Asda Foundation was brilliant and went a long way to making a difference in the lives of our members, helping to improve both their physical and mental well-being through the lovely activities and events we were able to host. But not just that – the funding has helped strengthen community resilience, reduce social isolation and build that all-important sense of belonging that each of us needs to live a fulfilling life.
“A huge thank you to the Asda Foundation, and our friends at Asda Strabane, for their support.”
Park 60+ Group currently has 20 members aged from 74 to 95. Run entirely by volunteers, the group, which has a legacy of around 40 years in the area, meets for two hours every Thursday. Members enjoy a light lunch, followed by a group activity, bringing locals into a social setting who mainly live alone. Transport to and from events is supported by Easilink rural community transport.
Emma Kelly, Community Champion at Asda Strabane, said: “This group provides a fantastic service for older people in this rural community, and we’re delighted support from the Asda Foundation was able to make a positive difference.”

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