Ireland West airport staff raise over €30,000 for three charities
IRELAND West Airport staff have presented a cheque for €30,550 to the airports three nominated charities for 2016 - Cancer Care West, MS Ireland and Pieta House.
In late 2015, in a new initiative by the airport, Ireland West Airport staff voted to select three Irish charities for the inaugural Ireland West Airport Charity of The Year programme for 2016.
Over the course of 2016 events took place with Ireland West Airport employees getting involved to support the three charities.
The most successful fundraiser in 2016 was the inaugural Bank of Ireland 5km Runway Run, which saw over 1,500 people take to the airport's runway in glorious sunshine in late May – the first time in the airports 30 year history that the airports runway was open to the public for a charity run.
In addition the airport hosted a gala night attended by 500 guests, to mark the 30th anniversary of the official opening of the airport. Both events generated significant funds all of which went towards the fundraising efforts for the three charities.
Speaking at the cheque presentation, Joe Gilmore, managing director, Ireland West Airport, said:” 2016 has been a memorable year at the airport as we celebrated the 30th anniversary of the official opening of the airport.
“This year was the first year of our charities of the year initiative and we are delighted to be presenting a cheque to the three charities for over €30,000 which will support the fantastic work been done by these charity organisations.
“The fantastic work that these charities all undertake really does make such a difference to the people that they support in our community. This new initiative is part of the on-going support and social responsibility activities that help the airport build bridges with the local community and we look forward to a successful year of fundraising with three new charities in 2017.”
* Pictured presenting a cheque to the three airport charities - Cancer Care West, MS Ireland and Pieta House - were staff from Ireland West Airport and from left to right Joe Burke, Pieta House, Rachael Dooley, Cancer Care West, Joe Gilmore, Managing Director, Ireland West Airport, Donna Burke, Pieta House and Mike Crowe, MS Ireland.