Niall Quinn today hosted an old-style street party in Stoneybatter, Dublin 7 with volunteer groups from around the capital to celebrate the importance of true community spirit and to launch this year’s Community Spirit Awards (CSA) organised by Dublin Bus. Past recipients of the awards

Shelbourne Girls FC, DCU Mercy Basketball Club, Artane/Beaumont Active Age Club, Irish Guide Dogs For the Blind, Ballymun Men’s Shed, Mount Argus Scouts and Esker Celtic Football were all in attendance to offer their support.

Addressing the groups, Patron of the Community Spirit Initiative Niall Quinn said “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 and embody true community spirit. They are the real heroes and Dublin Bus, through the CSAs, wants to support them and local communities around Dublin.”

The Dublin Bus Community Spirit Awards provides funding for volunteer community groups to develop new projects, improve their locality and help raise community spirit. Any voluntary group is eligible to apply for a grant of €1,000, €2,000 or €5,000. Application forms are available here.

Dublin Bus Chief Executive Ray Coyne said, “We are very proud of this initiative as it supports people and groups who are selflessly and tirelessly giving back to their own communities. Each year we are more inspired by the groups who give up their own time and resources to improve the lives of others. Since 2004, we have helped fund almost 1,800 groups across Dublin with our grants to their worthwhile causes and we want to find more deserving groups that embody true community spirit and reward them in 2017”.

Any groups involved in any type of volunteer community work can apply. The closing date for applications is 23 June 2017. Successful applicants will be notified by Dublin Bus from August onwards.