Niall Quinn has already received an honorary MBE

The former Black Cat striker, who donated the �500,000 proceeds from his testimonial match to charity, collected the Judges Special Prize in the Beacon Prize 2003.

The Beacon Prize is awarded for outstanding contributions to charitable causes.

Quinn was among 14 winners who will be invited to attend a ceremony early next year at Downing Street, hosted by Chancellor Gordon Brown.

An overall winner will be announced that night and their charity will receive a �20,000 donation.

Among the other award winners is mother-of-three Carol Wiggins, from Merseyside, who won the leadership prize for helping transform her local community.

Judging panel

Also to be recognised are 15-year-old Sarah Francis, from London, who raised �12,000 for Afghan refugees, and social entrepreneurs Nick Moon and Martin Fisher, who started a not-for-profit organisation in Kenya to help African farmers improve their quality of life.

All winners were selected by an judging panel from 765 nominations.

Earlier this year Quinn received an honorary MBE at a ceremony in his native Dublin.

The award was made in recognition of the now retired player's "outstanding services to international football and his contributions to charities".

He is patron of the Glass Slipper Appeal, which raises money for hospitals in the Sunderland area, in an effort to help their fight against breast cancer.

He also has a close association with the Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin, Dublin.