IRISH soccer legend, Niall Quinn, hosted an old-school street party in Stoneybatter, Dublin 7, earlier this month to launch this year’s Dublin Bus Community Spirit Awards.
The former Arsenal, Manchester City and Sunderland star was joined by past award recipients of Community Spirit Awards – including Shelbourne Girls FC, DCU Mercy Basketball Club and Ballymun Men’s Shed – for the event.
Quinn, who is patron of the Community Spirit Initiative, called on volunteer groups from around the city to apply for this year’s awards.
“Whether it’s a day out for older people, homeless or mental health support programmes, children’s sports days or homework clubs, we need to encourage and support the people and volunteer groups that make a tangible difference in their local areas around the city and embody true community spirit,” he said.
“They are the real heroes and Dublin Bus, through the Community Spirit Awards, wants to support them and local communities around Dublin.”
The awards provide funding for volunteer community groups to develop new projects, improve their locality and help raise community spirit.
Dublin Bus Chief Executive, Ray Coyne, said any voluntary group is eligible to apply for a grant of €1,000, €2,000 or €5,000.
“We are very proud of this initiative as it supports people and groups who are selflessly and tirelessly giving back to their own communities,” he added.
Local groups involved in any type of volunteer community work can apply for an award. There were 85 recipients in 2016 drawn from a wide variety of groups.
The closing date for applications is June 23 and successful applicants will be notified by Dublin Bus from August onwards.
For details see www.dublinbus.ie.