Giving Something Back

Since 2018, John Hourigan has helped Leeds Irish Health & Homes raise in excess of £150,000 through dinner dances and charity dinners, as well as corporate and personal donations. 

Here, he tells us about giving back to the community that shaped him. 

John Hourigan’s mother was originally from Roscommon and his father was from Tipperary.“ They met in Birmingham and ended up in Leeds - my mother had a sister here,” says John.  

John’s father became one of the founding members of Leeds Irish Centre. He was also heavily involved in the GAA, as well as what was the Leeds Irish Welfare Trust. 

“I grew up all over Leeds - Roundhay, Moortown, Alwoodley - but the Irish Centre and the Leeds Irish community was a constant,” says John. 

John established Allied Plant Ltd in 1999, offering services in aggregate supplies, excavation, spoil removal, recycling and plant hire. Over the years, business has gone from strength to strength. 

“After my dad passed away, it got me thinking about what I could do,” explains John. “I’m a big believer that charity begins at home and I wanted to stick with where my roots are. I decided to support Leeds Irish Health & Homes and see what difference I could make.”

In 2018, John helped organise a fundraising dinner dance in aid of Leeds Irish Health & Homes, raising £7,000. The following year, another dinner dance raised a further £12,500. “Then COVID struck,” says John. “People still aren’t going out and about in the way they used to. But we’ll find a way!”

John’s ‘way’ is a combination of using his influence, his connections and encouraging others to reflect on the importance of their heritage. 

“John is a force of personality,” says Ant Hanlon, Chief Executive at LIHH. “He has a great sense of humour and he’s great craic, but he also feels a sense of duty, a need to give back, and he takes it very seriously.”

Since 2018, John has helped raise a staggering £150,000 for LIHH. “It’s a colossal amount of money,” says Ant. “And it’s undoubtedly changed the lives of so many people.”

John, however, is quick to brush off any praise. “I’ve been fortunate in life, and I’m glad to help,” he says. “A bit of time, money and advice is my way of giving something back,” he says.

“I’ve leaned on plenty of other people, so I owe them big thanks for supporting Leeds Irish Health & Homes, too. As I always say, it’s not what you know, it’s who!” 

John Hourigan, founder and managing director of Allied Plant Ltd and long-time supporter of Leeds Irish Health & Homes, was given a special award at our St Patrick’s Day community party in recognition of his fundraising efforts for LIHH (pictured above).

To find out more about supporting LIHH - either by volunteering, donating, leaving a legacy or attending one of our events - speak to one of the team - 0113 262 5614 or info@lihh.org