Rachael Blackmore visits Dublin City Farm to launch Coca-Cola Thank You Fund

Celebrated Irish jockey and history maker, Rachael Blackmore, was recently at Dublin City Farm and Ecology Centre in St Anne’s Park to launch the 2021 Coca-Cola Thank You Fund.

Fresh off the furlongs of her Grand National win, the world’s first ever female jockey to win the race joined some former fund recipients to encourage community leaders to apply for funding at www.coca-cola.ie/thankyou.

Now in its eleventh year, the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund will continue to support young people disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.

Grants totalling €100,000 will be available to youth-orientated non-profit groups across the island of Ireland committed to protecting the future of a post pandemic generation.

Picture shows from left,Claire Kearns, Coca-Cola Ireland ; Kathrina Marsh,of St. Anne’s City Farm & Ecology Centre; Champion Irish jockey Rachael Blackmore; and Amy Coleman of St. Anne’s City Farm & Ecology Centre; at former Coca-Cola Thank You Fund fund recipients, St. Anne’s City Farm & Ecology Centre iat the launch of the 2021 Coca-Cola Thank You Fund

Having grown-up on a farm in her hometown of Killenaule, Co Tipperary, the daughter of a dairy farmer and a teacher, Rachael spent most of her time surrounded by animals and riding ponies and horses.

She credits her celebrated discipline, resilience and empathy as soft skills forged during these early years.

Visiting the community run farm in North Dublin, which last year received €5,000 in Coca-Cola Thank You Fund grant for the development of a skills-based learning programme, the 31-year-old role-model commented: “I’m very fortunate to compete in a sport where men and women are given equal opportunities and compete on a level playing field. My hometown and local community have played a big part in helping me the person I am today, and their support is very important to me.”

“Growing up on a farm helped to prepare me for the professional environment I find myself in today, so to see local initiatives like this one at Dublin City Farm made possible because of the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund is fantastic!

“As a jockey, winning races is a combined effort shared with the entire team and the horse of course!

“For young people in communities right across Ireland right now, those wins are going to be decided by the people you surround yourself with and the projects you immerse yourself in.

“The grants available through the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund are empowering local champions to establish very real networks of support that will have a lasting impact, so if you are a community leader with an idea to help young people get back in the race and develop the skills they need for the future, I would encourage you to check it out!”

Commenting on the launch of the 2021 Fund Agnese Filippi, Country Manager, Coca-Cola Ireland, said; “Last year we reimagined the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund in response to COVID-19, with our support focused on those most at risk from the immediate challenges of the crisis.

“The Fund was established to help marginalised young people and this year we’re looking to their future, working with our colleagues in Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling company to fund programmes and projects that are committed to building societal resilience across the island of Ireland.

“With the help of our wonderful ambassador Rachael Blackmore and the continued support of our long-standing partners, Irish Youth Foundation and YouthAction Northern Ireland, we hope to inspire local leaders seeking funding for initiatives that will help young people ‘Build for Better’ to apply to the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund and help drive some really positive change in their local communities.”

Operated in partnership with YouthAction Northern Ireland and supporting partner Irish Youth Foundation (IYF), Lucy Masterson, Chief Executive of the Irish Youth Foundation closed by saying; “The term frontline is one we’ve all become very familiar with over the past 12months and a position those working with young people in Ireland have found themselves in as the sector continues to be disproportionally impacted by the insurmountable challenges of COVID-19.

“The Coca-Cola Thank You Fund is a trusted Fund committed to supporting the future of young people in Ireland, so we’re delighted to once again be part of the programme and driving the focus on skills-based initiatives that will change someone’s tomorrow for the better. If you’re a community leader, a charity coordinator or just an active citizen with an idea that you think will help support the future of young people in your local area the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund is worth checking out. Even the smallest seed can plant a field of change!”

Assessed under the categories of education and training, diversity, and inclusion in young people and those that take an innovative approach to demonstrating sustainability, applications for funding can be submitted via www.coca-cola.ie/thankyou until midnight 16th of July. Please also visit the site to see full details of the conditions of entry.

Leaders of the shortlisted projects will be invited to attend a special skills and networking workshop empowering them with top tips on how to pitch their project and apply for funding, before presenting their ideas to a panel of judges in September.

This year will also see a return of the ‘People’s Choice Award,’ with members of the public invited to vote for their favourite project among the final shortlisted organisations, with successful 2021 Coca-Cola Thank You Fund recipients to be announced in the autumn.