Grants for Kilkenny tech initiatives

e RISE Community Fund, supported by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) and Granahan McCourt, has opened applications for grants available to small businesses, farms, community groups and social enterprises in County Kilkenny. e initiative, established by David McCourt, Chairman of Granahan McCourt, and NBI, aims to provide immediate - e Irish Heart Foundation’s ‘Before Damage is Done’ initiative highlights the link between high blood pressure and heart disease and stroke. e ‘silent killer’ a ects two out of three over-50s - but because it is symptomless, half do not know they have it.

People in Kilkenny have been urged to have their blood pressure checked as part of a new campaign to drive awareness of its dangers.

Adults living in Kilkenny, and especially those aged over 50, are asked to have their blood pressure checked with their GP or local pharmacy.

Previous research shows Ireland has one of the lowest rates of awareness, treatment and control of high blood pressure in Europe.

Dr Angie Brown, Medical Director and Consultant Cardiologist with the Irish Heart Foundation, said thousands of people unwittingly go about their daily lives with high blood pressure.

“ e only way of nding out is to get it checked with your GP or local pharmacy as you will, most likely, have no symptoms,” she said.

“It is one of the most important risk factors for heart disease and stroke but there are many factors that a ect your risk.”

Core Research for the Irish Heart Foundation shows that while many people know that high blood pressure is a risk factor leading to the development of cardiovascular disease (such as heart disease and stroke), there is a lack of awareness nancial support to local communities seeking to enhance their digital ecosystems.

In June, the RISE Community Fund plans to award up to ve grants of €1,000 to successful applicants across the county, with the goal of empowering individuals in using technology for their plans. David McCourt expressed the fund’s desire to accelerate and amplify the ambitions of remarkable individuals who bring value to their local communities through creative and entrepreneurial uses of technology.

Interested small businesses, farms, community groups and social enterprises in Kilkenny, with aspirations to leverage technology for scalability and local impact, are encouraged to visit www.riseglobalfounda- tion.com for entry forms and guidelines.

Peter Hendrick, CEO of NBI, highlighted the importance of connectivity in rural areas and acknowledged that it alone cannot address all the challenges faced by businesses, farms and community groups. e RISE Community Fund serves as an opportunity to engage local communities and cel-