FIVE youth organisations in Northern Ireland have been awarded a share of €40,000 in this year’s Coca-Coca Thank You Fund, where grants since the initiative began in 2011 have now surpassed €1 million.
A total of €100,000 was awarded to 12 community projects across Ireland, with three organisations in the north - Monkstown Boxing Club, Mary Peter’s Trust and Liberty Consortium Playtrail in Derry - each receiving €10,000 for the development of their projects.
St Malachy’s OB Football Club and Albert Foundry Academy FC each also received €5,000 from the fund.
The money will be used to help fund innovative projects to support and inspire young people across the categories of education and training, diversity and inclusion, and innovative approaches to sustainability.
Coca-Cola Thank You Fund ambassador and radio broadcaster Pete Snodden said: “I’ve been involved in the fund for many years and have seen first-hand the difference it makes to local community groups and the immeasurable impact it has on young people across Northern Ireland.
“It’s so rewarding to be here today to celebrate the class of 2019. One size just doesn’t fit all and by empowering these incredible local champions, the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund is giving them the tools to change the lives of young people in their community.”
Gillian Shields, sustainability manager at Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland, thanked all the organisations who applied for the fund this year, along with the judges who helped select the winners:
“We were so encouraged by the number of community leaders in towns and villages across the island of Ireland who took the time to enter this year’s Coca-Cola Thank You Fund. It has never been more important to invest in our future change leaders and the funding provided brings projects to life that otherwise might never happen.”
“We're delighted to reach the ninth anniversary of the fund, a significant milestone as we celebrate the donation of over €1 million to nearly 100 youth-orientated non-profit organisations across the island of Ireland since 2011.”
The fund (www.coca-cola.ie/thankyou) is delivered in partnership with the Irish Youth Foundation and Youth Action NI.
June Trimble, chief executive of Youth Action, said: “Non-profit groups are invaluable to our local communities, so it was a great privilege for me to be part of the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund and to have the opportunity to make a real impact on the lives of young people across Ireland.
“Over €1 million has now been donated by the fund to 95 youth-orientated groups right across the country, with incredible impact. While the financial support is invaluable to these groups as they work to provide vital supports and interventions at ground level, simply backing their belief can act as a catalyst for even greater change.”
