Awards offer €60,000 funding to community-based healthcare charities

GSK, one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies, has unveiled the annual GSK Ireland IMPACT Awards, which recognise and reward community-based charities who contribute to the improvement of people’s health and wellbeing in Ireland.

The awards are open to registered charities that are working in a health-related field in Ireland and are at least three years old. Applicants are evaluated using six criteria from which the name ‘IMPACT’ is derived: Innovation, Management, Partnership, Achievement, Community focus and Targeting needs.

Up to five winning charities will receive €10,000 each in unrestricted funding, while five runner-up charities receive €2,000 each. In addition to the prize money, winning charities also receive a specially commissioned video and photography package to help them promote their work.

Said Jacinta Collins, communications director for GSK: “There are thousands of unsung healthcare heroes all over the country that operate with purpose and passion to improve people’s health and wellbeing in their community and GSK wants to ensure they receive the recognition they deserve. Since establishing the initiative in Ireland, we have been truly inspired and moved by our wonderful winners and the huge contribution they are making to Irish health on a daily basis.

“We have every confidence that this year will be no different and we are really looking forward to reviewing the entries we receive.”

Last year, the five winning charities of the GSK Ireland IMPACT Awards’ were:

• 22Q11 Ireland Support Group Limited - The national Irish charity for individuals and families affected by 22q11.2 deletion/DiGeorge Syndrome/V.C.F.S

• Blue Teapot Theatre Company - Blue Teapot is a multi-award winning theatre company, performing arts school and outreach programme for people with intellectual disabilities at the forefront of arts and disability in Ireland. They are committed to high quality theatre, training and the celebration of creativity.

• Down Syndrome Centre - The Down Syndrome Centre provides specialist services such as early intervention, speech and language therapy, parent and baby classes to children with Down Syndrome.

• Irish Men's Shed Association - The Irish Men’s Shed Association (IMSA) is a member-based organisation which exists to maintain links and share information through the network of men’s sheds in Ireland, ensuring men have the opportunity to maintain and improve their well-being on their own terms and within their own communities.

• Sexual Health Centre - Based in Cork, the Sexual Health Centre provides information and support on sexual health without judgement.

The five runners up were the Alcohol Forum, Coeliac Society of Ireland, Spinal Injuries Ireland, Turn2Me and Wexford Mental Health Association.

The deadline for applications is 5 p.m. on Tuesday, 19, and interested organisations can apply here: http://ie.gsk.com/ie/about-us/partnerships/gsk-ireland-impact-awards/