By Margot Garnier

Eighty-four community and voluntary groups were rewarded at the 11th annual Dublin Bus Community Spirit Awards.

All received a grant ranging from €1,000 to €5,000 funded by unclaimed passenger receipts over the previous year at the ceremony in Croke Park on 23 September, hosted by former Ireland soccer international Niall Quinn.

Five groups were awarded by the biggest grant of €5,000, including Ballinteer Community School for work in promoting mental health awareness via their ‘Chin Up’ initiative.

The Daisyhouse Housing Association also received €5,000 for its work helping homeless women escaping domestic violence over the past 26 years.

Other large grants went to Just Ask, a voluntary organisation that helps up to 80 young students per day with their homework; Older Voices for Change, which will use the money to carry out research on elderly people’s needs; and the Down Syndrome Centre, which organises speech therapy and parenting workshops.

The grant will help the latter employ an occupational therapist to work with children on “the functional skills they require to achieve their maximum potential at school, home and in social activities.”

Fifteen other groups received grants of €2,000, while 64 more received €1,000 each for their work. 

“I am very proud of the work you are all doing and the effort that you are putting in helping your communities,” said Quinn. “Dublin Bus is proud to give you a little financial support, a little pat on the back.”