Coca-Cola have launched the ‘Coca-Cola Thank You Fund’ and announced the availability of €125,000 in funding to community and voluntary groups promoting active lifestyles throughout the island of Ireland. The ‘Coca-Cola Thank You Fund’ is open for entries until July 6th, 2012 and will be accepted through www.coca-cola.ie.

The ‘Coca-Cola Thank You Fund’, which is being supported by The Wheel and The Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA), has been developed to support innovative projects and initiatives that are helping people and communities adopt and enjoy more active lifestyles.

Last year Tralee Bay Sailing School was awarded €5,000 to develop its Tralee Bay Access Sailing programme for people with physical and sensory disabilities in Kerry.

A total of €125,000 is available for distribution through the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund to eligible organisations. Ten projects will €10,000 grants and this year, an outstanding overall winner will be awarded funding of €25,000. The project selected will represent best practice and will be a creative, innovative initiative capable of being replicated in other communities.

The ‘Coca-Cola Thank You Fund’ is open for entries from 30th of May until the 6th of July. All applications will be accepted online at www.coca-cola.ie. After the entries are closed a judging panel consisting of Coca‑Cola, The Wheel and the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action will create a shortlist of 45 organisations which will be published on the www.coca-cola.ie website onSeptember 1st, 2012. The public vote will account for 50% of the final decision and a vote by an expert judging panel will account for the remaining 50%. The winners will be announced by November 2012.

Full details on ‘The Coca-Cola Thank You Fund’ can be found at www.coca-cola.ie.