Clubs urged to jump for thank you fund

ALL voluntary and non-profit organisations in Dublin that want to kick-start new programmes encouraging people to become more active could win e25,000 to get them up and running.

Five grants totalling e125,000 are up for grabs for new sport and physical activity initiatives under the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund, which was launched by Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar TD and athlete Derval O’Rourke, who is this year’s ambassador for the fund.

Applications are being accepted online until 6pm on June 16 at www.coca-cola.ie/ thank you

“This is a great initiative that aims to get people moving and help non-profit groups to stage physical activities,

? Minister Varadkar said.

“I got first-hand experience of this scheme by taking part in the Swim for a Mile challenge. Swim Ireland trained more than 1,000 people to swim for a mile and then hosted a series of nationwide events for them to put their training into practice.

“This year, five organisations will each receive e25,000 for their projects, and I encourage other groups to think about how they can promote active living through this fund.

?

Fund ambassador Derval O’Rourke urged her followers on Twitter to start thinking of bright ideas that could use funding.

She wrote:

“Because #MovementIsHappiness we’re looking for inspiring projects that will get people moving! Enter at www.coca-cola.ie/thankyou.

?

The judging panel will include Lorraine Ho, Managing Director of Bootcamp Ireland; Tina Murphy, founder of Run with Tina; Denis Toomey, President of Cycling Ireland and Deirdre Garvey, CEO at The Wheel.

Ailish Forde, Director, Public Affairs and Communications, Coca-Cola HBC Ireland, said:

“We are delighted to announce the availability of

?¬125,000 in funding for 2014, and we welcome voluntary and non-profit organisations to apply online at www.coca-cola.ie/thankyou.

“The fund is looking for creative and engaging approaches to getting people moving through sport and activity based programmes.

?

The Coca-Cola Thank You Fund was launched in 2011 and has so far distributed

?¬375,000 in grants. This year’s funding total of

?¬125,000 will bring the amount donated to half a million Euro.

More information about the Fund is available at www.coca-cola.ie/thankyou.