Sports stars urge Kildare organisations to apply for €400,000 winter windfall

Former WBO title holder Andy Lee and racing pundit Ruby Walsh has called on community-based sports organisations to apply for one of the 200 free grants available through Cash4Clubs’ £400,000 fund.

12-time champion jockey and sports broadcaster Ruby Walsh added: “Grants like these have a profound impact on communities by increasing participation in various physical activities, improving health outcomes, and fostering connections. Sport empowers people, builds confidence and creates lasting positive changes in the lives of adults to maintain their engagement. There are countless organisations around the country that could to with a winter windfall, so if you’re involved in one of them, check out Cash4Clubs (cash-4-clubs.com).

Betting and gaming group Flutter UKI funds the Cash4Clubs initiative and is extending the deadline to December 12 due to the sheer number of grassroots clubs that have already submitted bids for 2024.

The initiative awards 200 community organisations €2,000 worth of funding to help drive participation in sports and wellbeing, improve facilities and run coaching programmes.

Since Cash4Clubs was launched in 2008, nearly €6 million has been invested into community sports by Flutter UKI through its brands, which include Betfair, Paddy Power, Sky Betting & Gaming and tombola.

Last year, 30,000 people across 50 different sports benefitted from the Cash4Clubs fund. Almost 85% of those clubs funded were from lower socio-economic groups.

Andy Lee returned to the ring this week to back Cash4Clubs. Speaking about the initiative, he said: “I know that a €2000 financial injection into any boxing club would make a real difference. Every euro counts in keeping the doors of boxing clubs open. These clubs play a vital role in their communities in terms of keeping people of all ages active and engaged. And so my message is simple – apply before the deadline closes on December 12.”

Dublin Devils FC, an LGBTQ+ and inclusive football team, offer everything from social kickabouts to competitive 11-a-side and were among last year’s recipients.

Club treasurer Paul McKie explained the impact Cash4Clubs funds had on their organisation: “We have over 110 members ranging in age from 18 to 67 and many would say that positive impact on their mental health is among the biggest benefit of all because they’re able to mix with like-minded people, get out and about and get some exercise.

“We hosted two open days to promote the club and competed in Vienna at this year's IGLFA (International Gay & Lesbian Football Association) EuroGames where we finished second behind Manchester. We charge our members €3 for a kickabout and €40 for an annual membership, so you can imagine how helpful it was to have an additional €2,000 in the kitty. It made the impossible possible.”

A spokesperson for Flutter UKI said: “We know that Cash4Clubs can play an important part in helping at the grassroots level – great stories such as Dublin Devils FC show the power the programme can have by enabling clubs to play a big role in their community. There are real benefits to encouraging people to try out a sport or exercise a bit more and we hope this year’s funding will make a real difference.”

Flutter UKI is working with leading UK charity Sported to deliver the Cash4Clubs programme across Ireland and the UK.

Applicants can apply via the Cash4Clubs website at www.cash-4-clubs.com.