Health and social integration through sport in Ireland
The John Giles Foundation aims to facilitate positive social change by using the power of football to build community cohesion, promote health, and encourage lifelong participation and learning
It will drive fundraising initiatives that will help football clubs, schools, and community groups to raise funds for themselves and for other worthwhile local projects
Walk of Dreams
The 2011 John Giles Foundation ‘Walk of Dreams’ in association with Three was the Foundation’s first major National fundraising project and its success has enabled the Foundation to start fulfilling its aims.
The Walk took place on the 27th of March, 2011 at 15 locations throughout Ireland and saw more than 25,000 people come together to celebrate the game of football and their contribution to local communities across the country.
Investment in Football Community
In 2013 the John Giles Foundation decided to incorporate additional fundraising activities into its calender of events. Some of these events include Family Fun Days and 5 A Side Blitzs.
These events are a unique opportunity for clubs, schools and community groups in Ireland to come together and demonstrate the importance of football in Irish community life.
Participating members sign up family, friends and members of the community to sponsor their event, donating to your club and the John Giles Foundation. 50% of all monies raised go to your club/school/community group and 50% to the John Giles Foundation to be reinvested in your local community.
In addition to the money clubs raise for themselves by supporting fundraising events for the Foundation, more than 100 clubs accross the country benefitted from grants allocated to them by the Foundation to date.
– See more at: John Giles Website
UEFA Foundation for Children to support John Giles charity with €100K donation
The contribution will go towards supporting health and social integration projects, through the John Giles Foundation which was founded in 2010.
His foundation operates an open application process for football clubs, schools and community organisations to apply for funding towards their own football project with a social inclusion remit. These submissions are reviewed and assessed by the trustees of the foundation.
“THE Football Association of Ireland is delighted to announce that it has secured €100,000 from the UEFA Foundation for Children to support health and social integration projects via the John Giles Foundation,” the FAI said in a statement, while the association’s CEO John Delaney also welcomed the development.
He said: “Every year we receive more than 100 applications for support via the John Giles Foundation so this decision by the UEFA Foundation for Children will have a real impact at grassroots level in communities across Ireland.”
John also spoke of his delight at the support from the UEFA Foundation.
“I’m delighted to hear that the Foundation has received this support from the UEFA Foundation for Children and it will help us assist grassroots projects up and down the country,” said the former Boys in Green midfielder and manager.
Published 23/02/16 Mark McCluskey