THE FIRST annual Arthur Guinness Awards to support emerging social entrepreneurship in Ireland were announced yesterday.
ReDiscover Fashion, a company that turns cast-off materials into wearable clothing, was one of 10 recipients, each of whom received €100,000.
Sarah Miller, one half of Rediscover Fashion, said the prize money was a much-needed investment for a business that started when she recognised that much of the textile waste that went into landfills could be reused.
“What we do is take the material, deconstruct it and make it something people want to buy.”
The €2.5 million fund was set up by Diageo and Social Entrepreneurs Ireland in conjunction with the Arthur Guinness 250th celebrations last year.
Recipients ranged from Fáilte Isteach, a group supporting older people who welcome migrants into the community, to Kanchi, a project aimed at creating an inclusive environment for people with disabilities in the workplace.
A farming project to train people on low incomes to grow their own organic produce was also recognised. Margaret Leahy accepted the award in association with Co Mayo group Clár IRD.