Children’s home receives ‘thank you’ boost

THE Children’s Sunshine Home on the Southside has won
substantial funding from one of the world’s most iconic brands.

The home that provides care for children with life
limiting conditions was one of 15 recipients of funding from the Coca-Cola 125
Years

‘Thank You Fund’.

CanTeen Ireland, Focus Ireland, Acquired Brain Injury
Ireland, and Special Olympics Ireland were also awarded grants of between

?¬5,000 and

?¬10,000 from the fund that was launched back in May to mark
Coca-Cola’s 125th birthday celebrations in Ireland.

The award ceremony took place today in the Royal
College of Physicians and was attended by Minister of State at the Department
of Environment, Community & Local Government, Fergus O’Dowd TD.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Minister O’Dowd said:

“I’m delighted to present these awards to such worthy organisations. In this European Year of Volunteering, it’s
wonderful to see a company like Coca Cola who have been a significant employer
on the island of Ireland since 1934, promoting such a positive message of
corporate responsibility and community engagement.

“I would like to congratulate both the 15 very
deserving groups on their awards and the company itself on the occasion of its
125th anniversary. I welcome Coca Cola,
which has already made such a significant investment in Ireland throughout the
years, committing to the future of our communities through the 125 Years Thank
You Fund.

?

The fund is operated in partnership with the Wheel and
the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA), which support
projects and initiatives that are having a positive impact on the quality of
life of communities across Ireland.

Applicants were asked to submit an entry on
initiatives focused on Social and Education Programmes aimed at Youth; Healthy
and Active Lifestyles; and Environmental Leadership. A total of 15 grants were
awarded consisting of 10 of

?¬10,000 and five of

?¬5,000.

Jenny Heaphy of Coca-Cola Ireland said the company was
excited to be able to support valuable community projects happening around the
country.

“We are delighted with the response to the Coca-Cola
125 Years Thank You Fund,

? she said.

“We received over 600 applications from
all over Ireland. The applicants proposed some very innovative projects and
schemes that could have a really positive impact on their communities. We would
like to thank everyone for taking the time to enter and for showing us what
great work is happening in communities every day.

?

She added:

“To be one of the 15 receiving funding out
of the 600 applications is a great achievement. I’d like to congratulate them
all on getting this far and we look forward to partnering with them in the
future as we all put the funding to good use.

?

The other recipients included Focus Ireland that
received

?¬10,000 in funding, Irish Dogs for the Disabled, which also received

?¬10,000, as well as the Children’s Sunshine Home that received

?¬10,000.