More than 3,000 volunteers are taking to the streets today for the Special Olympics annual collection Day.

The organisation is hoping to raise around €500,000 this year.

The funds will help to train athletes to take place in the Special Olympics World Summer Games, which are are taking place in Los Angeles later this year.

An army of some 3,500 people are hitting the streets until late tonight.

They will be shaking buckets in 200 towns and villages around the country.

Special Olympics ambassador, and Leinster and Ireland flanker, Sean O'Brien told Newstalk Breakfast it is all for a good cause.

Meanwhile, actor Colin Farrell has made a video urging people to give what they can to help the athletes.