Olympian Kellie Harrington urges Waterford youth groups to apply for grant worth thousands

Two-time Olympic champion Kellie Harrington has encouraged all non-profit youth organisations in Waterford to apply to the 2025 Coca-Cola Thank You Fund.

Up to €200,000 is available through the Thank You Fund's grants which aim to support and empower youth interventions across Ireland under the pillars of inclusion and inspiration, creating opportunities for education, employability and leadership development among those aged between 16 and 25. 

Community groups in Waterford are being encouraged to apply for a grant share of between €10,000 and €25,000 for projects that equip vulnerable young people with skills, support and confidence needed to navigate life's challenges.

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At the launch of the fund earlier this week, Harrington said: "Growing up, I saw how a lack of support can push young people in the wrong direction. Sport taught me discipline, confidence, and resilience—skills that changed my life.

"Programmes like the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund give young people the same chance to find their purpose and believe in themselves. It helps grassroots projects get off the ground, reach more young people, and provide opportunities they might never have had."

The boxing star added: "Community is everything to me. It’s where I found my first supporters, my role models, and my sense of belonging. It’s the people who cheer you on when you win and lift you up when you fall. That kind of support shapes who you are. This isn't just about the funding; it's about what these local community projects unlock—hope, ambition, and a brighter future."

The programme is now in its 15th year and has so far awarded over €1.7 million to 182 non-profit organisations.

Waterford groups can apply for the grants at the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund's website by Wednesday, 26 March.