Volunteer - Collection Day 2026
On 18 September in ROI, and 25th September in Northern Ireland, Special Olympics will be holding its largest community fundraiser of the year across 115+ locations.
Please give a few hours of your time and help make a real difference.
Special Olympics provides inclusion, community, and life-changing opportunities through sport for people with intellectual disabilities. For many athletes, it offers a sense of belonging, confidence, and opportunities they might not otherwise have.
We urgently need volunteers to support our Collection Day. Just a few hours of your time can help ensure these vital programmes continue to reach those who need them most.
Why get involved
Pushing for more athletes to be included: There are over 109,000 people in Ireland with an intellectual disability, we currently support over 6700 through sport, but we would love to include so many more athletes. Your support will help us to offer sports opportunities, friendship and the chance to belong to the athletes who are still waiting on the side lines
Supporting Skills at a Young Age: The need is urgent – research shows that 77% of children aged 4-12 with an intellectual disability can’t kick a ball. Not because of their disability, but because they haven’t had the chance. Special Olympics programmes, like Young Athletes, are breaking down these barriers. Jack in the image here, has really thrived in young athletes. Your support helps other athletes to do do the same!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Collection Day?
Special Olympics Ireland Collection Day helps provide life-changing sports programmes, giving more athletes the opportunity to thrive, grow in confidence, and reach their full potential.
When is Collection Day 2026?
ROI - Friday 18th September 2026
NI - Friday 25th September 2026
How can I support Collection Day 2026?
Organise a Bucket Collection, Bag Pack or hold a fundraising event in your home, school, or company. You can also set up an online page and support the campaign virtually. For more information click here: Collection Day 2026 - Virtual Fundraiser
How do I sign up?
To lead a Collection location please sign up here
https://register.idonate.ie/special-olympics-collection-day/
To join a Collection location as a volunteer you can sign up
https://register.idonate.ie/special-olympics-collection-day/
Can I do my own Fundraising Event in aid of Collection Day?
Yes, click “Virtual Fundraising Event” - and raise funds for Collection Day your way.
Why is fundraising so important/ Where do donations go?
Special Olympics Ireland transforms lives through sport.
We are a sports organisation for people with an intellectual disability from the age of 4 years old with no upper age limit. Currently almost 7,000 athletes from across the island of Ireland participate in 15 different sports through Special Olympics.
Collection Day funds our ongoing community programmes which are delivered through our local clubs across the Island of Ireland.
Read more: www.specialolympics.ie
What is new for Collection Day 2026?
The new digital benefits of fundraising in 2026: this year we are asking you to sign up to support Collection Day through our Microsite. As part of signing up you will be set up with a fundraising page so that you can share ahead of the day and help us grow our donations virtually as well as on the day.
How to Lodge your funds?
You can lodge your funds in a number of ways:
Through your Team fundraising page:
Donate the value of cash collected to your fundraising page, this will give you an overall total of funds collected by keeping everything within your team page.
Through our bank:
Deposit A/C name: Special Olympics Leinster Fundraising
Location: LOWER BAGGOT ST DUBLIN 2
IBAN: IE66 BOFI 9014 9049 3299 07
BIC: BOFIIE2D
Please email collectionday@specialolympics.ie confirming the amount and date of your lodgement.
You can also add the lodged amount to your fundraising page as an “offline donation”.
Will I receive a donation receipt?
Yes, all donations will be receipted after the event.
How do I add offline donations?
On your laptop or desktop, scroll down to the "Quick Actions" heading, click on the “Add Offline Donations” button, then click on the pencil icon underneath the “Offline Donations” heading. Then click the “Add Offline Donation” button.
*Please note this will not work on smartphones.
How do I download the Tap To Donate App?
Click here iDonate Tap - Make Contactless Donations Anytime, Anywhere