(Monday 19th December 2022) Ireland West Airport staff were delighted last week to present a cheque for a record €42,580 to the airports three staff nominated charities for 2022 – Childhood Cancer Ireland, Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust and The Sensational Kids Charity.
Over the course of 2022 a number of events took place with Ireland West Airport employees getting involved to support the three charities.
The most successful fundraiser in 2022 was the annual Portwest 5km Runway Run, which saw over 1,000 people take to the airports runway in September.
The other major fundraisers included an Online Bingo Night which was a huge success in November and a bumper online charity draw, which took place in August, and offered fantastic prizes such as a Signed and framed Katie Taylor Picture & Boxing Glove, flights and match tickets to see Man Utd play Man City, VIP Experience tickets to Riverdance, return flights to Milan and much more. There was a fantastic response by the public and combined, both online fundraisers raised almost €20,000 for the three charities.In addition, all donations left in the charity boxes in the various locations at the airport, by passengers throughout the year, contributed to the significant funds raised for the three charities in 2022.
Speaking at the cheque presentation, Joe Gilmore, Managing Director, Ireland West Airport, said ‘Whilst the last couple of years have been challenging for all concerned, it has been a particularly tough time for charities, who have been unable to fundraise in their normal ways due to the restrictions. In this regard it has been particularly pleasing for the airport this year to have contributed to these three fantastic charities and present a cheque for a record amount of €42,500, to support the fantastic work that these charities all undertake, which really does make such a difference to the people that they support in our community. I am very proud of the continued support and commitment of our own staff in raising significant money for their nominated charities every year and would also like to express our gratitude to our customers, who so generously contributed to the charities through their donations in the charity boxes at the airport’.
Colin Bell, Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, commented “KBRT would like to thank the Charity Committee of Ireland West for their magnificent donation to our Trust. They were so easy to work with and I know the amazing €42,580 they raised for ourselves, Childhood Cancer Ireland and Sensational Kids will be a massive benefit to all three charities”.
Laura Cullinan, CEO and Parent of Childhood Cancer Ireland, noted that the funds raised by Ireland West Airport and its patrons will allow the charity to continue its work in the region. “Every year around 60 children and young people (aged 0-24) are diagnosed with Cancer in the West of Ireland. Since 2013 we have been raising awareness of Childhood Cancer in Ireland. As a parent and survivor-led charity, we understand that a diagnosis of childhood cancer has a devastating impact on the entire family. We help to ease the burden of diagnosis and treatment on children and their families by raising funds to provide practical and emotional supports. The support from Ireland West Airport has not only raised vital funds towards our emotional supports and services programmes in the west it has also help raise awareness of childhood cancer in the region.”
Maureen Byrne, Sensational Kids, said “We are so grateful to the staff at Ireland West Airport and to all those who took part in the bumper raffle, the Runway Run and the online bingo events. You will be supporting Sensational Kids in our efforts to maximise the potential of the children we serve. We are privileged to have been included with the other worthy charities.”
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