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Speaking at the awards ceremony Minister Fergus 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 which has 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 fifteen 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 ‘Coca-Cola 125 Years Thank You Fund’, which is being operated in partnership with The Wheel and the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) supports projects and initiatives that are having a positive impact on the quality of life of communities on the island of Ireland. Applicants were asked to submit an entry on initiatives focused on the following areas: Social and Education Programmes aimed at Youth; Healthy and Active Lifestyles; Environmental Leadership. A total of fifteen grants were awarded – ten of €10,000 and five of €5,000.  
 
Jenny Heaphy Coca-Cola Ireland, said the company was excited to be able to support some valuable community projects happening around the country. She said, “We are delighted with the response to the ‘Coca-Cola 125 Years Thank You Fund’. We received over six hundred applications from all over the island of Ireland. The applicants proposed some very innovative projects and schemes which 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.”
“To be one of the fifteen organisations receiving funding today out of the six hundred applications is a great achievement. I’d like to congratulate all of you on getting this far and we look forward to partnering with you in the future as you all put the funding to good use.”
 
The fifteen organisations receiving funding from the Coca-Cola 125 Years Thank You Fund include:

• Focus Ireland – received €10,000 in funding
• Titans Basketball Club – received €10,000 in funding
• Belfast Central Mission – received €10,000 in funding
• Irish Dogs for the Disabled – received €10,000 in funding
• Inishowen Development Partnership – received €10,000 in funding
• Special Olympics Ireland – received €10,000 in funding
• Autism NI – received €10,000 in funding
• Burrenbeo Trust Ltd – received €10,000 in funding
• The Children's Sunshine Home – received €10,000 in funding
• Acquired Brain Injury Ireland – received €10,000 in funding
• CanTeen Ireland – received €5,000 in funding
• Console – received €5,000 in funding
• Sligo Cancer Support Centre – received €5,000 in funding
• Royal National Institute of Blind People – received €5,000 in funding
• Tralee Bay Sailing School – received €5,000 in funding

Firstly the 600 entries were narrowed down to a shortlist of 45 that went to the public vote during the month of September. During that period the judging panel also came together to vote. Following the outcome of both the judges’ and the public vote, the winning 15 groups were decided on.

The judging panel was made up of a variety of community leaders who were selected because of their proven track-record in making positive contributions to society. As well as a representative from The Coca-Cola Company, members the panel included Dame Mary Peters, Past Olympian, Sarah O’Connor, Executive Director at The Federation of Irish Sports , Michael Ewing, CEO, Irish Environmental Network, Eoghan Murphy, Fine Gael TD , Deirdre Garvey , CEO, The Wheel  and James Laverty, NICVA.
 

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For more information, please contact:
Public Affairs and Communications Manager
Coca-Cola HBC Ireland
Phone number: + 353 1 880 7100