# Snow Patrol lead singer launches Lightbody Foundation - Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2019/08/12/snow-patrol-lead-singer-launches-lightbody-foundation/ - Published: 2019-08-12T07:22:47+01:00 - Author: Howard Lake **Gary Lightbody, lead singer with indie rock band Snow Patrol, has announced the launch of The Lightbody Foundation, in partnership with the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland (CFNI).** The new grantmaker will make funding available to charitable organisations and community groups across Northern Ireland over the next twelve months in areas that include: * special educational needs * mental health issues * and mentoring for young people. A number of charities have already received support from the Foundation, including SOS Bus, Everyday Harmony, Youth Action NI, Youthlife, Drake Music and Alzheimer’s Society. ## Advertisement The charities only learned who was behind the financial support at the launch of the Lightbody Foundation.    * **SEE ALSO: [7 great Christmas charity singles](https://fundraising.co.uk/2016/12/08/7-great-christmas-charity-singles/)( 8 December 2016)**   Speaking at the launch, Gary Lightbody explained how [the Lightbody Foundation](http://www.communityfoundationni.org.uk) would support the voluntary and community sector. He said: > “We will be making **donations to five or six charities twice a year**.  Because > of both a looming Brexit and having no government in Northern Ireland for two > years, charities, especially smaller ones, are being marginalised and underfunded. > We want to try and help some of those NI charities that struggle in these tough > times”.   Lightbody said the Foundation had partnered with CFNI who had helped them connect with charities across Northern Ireland. ![Lightbody Foundation logo](https://wfay6x.infiniteuploads.cloud/2019/08/lightbody- foundation-1024x571.jpg) Commenting on the launch of the Lightbody Foundation, Andrew McCracken, CEO of the Community Foundation, said:   > “This is immensely generous of  Gary Lightbody, he really wanted to make a difference > here, even hand picking the first recipients to benefit from his Foundation’s > support. The launch of the Lightbody Foundation reflects his focus on making a > real difference to communities and families and so many people will benefit from > his generosity. It is truly inspiring and I’ve no doubt that his leadership will > encourage others”.   > I have just launched a foundation with my family and friends. There is more info > on the webpage featured on this post.x [https://t.co/Wv7OAmhJxj](https://t.co/Wv7OAmhJxj) > — gary lightbody (@garysnowpatrol) [July 1, 2019](https://twitter.com/garysnowpatrol/status/1145696966619348992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) Tricia Kelly from young people’s charity Youthlife, who will use the funding to provide counselling and peer mentoring to promote positive mental health strategies amongst young people, said the funding was even more relevant to them given Gary’s own struggles with mental health issues. * **[International Development Secretary writes to sector about no deal funding concerns](https://fundraising.co.uk/2019/08/19/international-development-secretary-writes-sector-no-deal-funding-concerns/)**( 19 August 2019) * **[Civil society organisations co-sign letter to Boris Johnson on no-deal Brexit concerns](https://fundraising.co.uk/2019/08/29/civil-society-organisations-co-sign-letter-to-boris-johnson-on-no-deal-brexit-concerns/)**( 29 August 2019) * **[Predictions for 2020 : five trends we must address](https://fundraising.co.uk/2020/02/26/predictions-for-2020-five-trends-we-must-address/)**( 26 February 2020) ![Loading](https://fundraising.co.uk/wp-content/plugins/page-views-count/ajax-loader- 2x.gif)