Quinny gets another gong

Only weeks after receiving an honourary MBE in recognition of his fund-raising efforts, Sunderland legend Niall Quinn has learned he's to receive another award.

Niall is to receive the Judges' Special Prize from the Beacon Fellowship - a nationally recognised prize scheme through which the charity sector can acknowledge and reward exceptional philanthropic acts by individuals (giving of time, leadership, money, skills and ideas). The Fellowship highlights motivating role models and forms of giving, and wants to create a Fellowship body of prize winners such as Niall who, as they grow in number, can become an active force in the charity sector and help raise general awareness and educate the general public.

Niall is to receive his award in recognition of having raised over £1m from his testimonial match where a Sunderland AFC XI played a Republic of Ireland XI.

The Beacon Fellowship received 765 nominations for awards from all sections of the community, which they then whittled down to 77 finalists, including Quinny.

Quinn and the 13 others who are to receive awards, will be invited to Downing Street in early 2004 to meet the Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown, who will announce which of them is the overall winner and recipient of £20,000 top prize, to be invested by the winner in a charity of their choice.