Irish football legend Niall Quinn, with the help of members of the Diamond Twirlers, Bay City Boxing Club and Age Action, has today launched the eleventh annual Dublin Bus Community Spirit Awards and called on community groups across the Capital to register for a Community Spirit Award now and make 2015 a year to remember.

Using unclaimed passenger change to support grassroots voluntary groups around the capital since 2004, The Dublin Bus Community Spirit Awards have helped fund over 1,800 voluntary groups. These include groups supporting people with disabilities, community development projects, youth clubs and services, football clubs, family resource and community centres, services for older people, boxing clubs, scout groups and dance clubs for young people.

The Community Spirit Awards provides voluntary groups across the Greater Dublin Area with support to develop new projects, grow services and help raise community spirit in their local community. Any voluntary group located within the area Dublin Bus services operate is eligible to apply for a grant of €1,000, €2,000 or €5,000.

Speaking in his role as patron of the Dublin Bus Community Spirit Awards Niall Quinn said: “Since 2004, when the Community Spirit Awards were first awarded, I have seen the difference these grants have made to local community groups and their members, young and old. From musical equipment to building repairs the awards have provided crucial help to these communities and I hope every voluntary group in Dublin applies for a Dublin Bus Community Spirit Award and makes this year a year to remember”.

You can apply here.

The closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday 29th May 2015. Successful applicants will be notified by Dublin Bus from August 2015 onwards.