The Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund (www.IGBF.ie) a voluntary registered charity, has announced the appointment of Mr. Willie O’Byrne as President of Appeals 2014. Willie succeeds Leonard Hegarty, President of Appeals 2013, who enjoyed tremendous success in delivering much needed funds for the charity.
Speaking following the appointment, Willie commented “The IGBF has successfully assisted over 300 families annually over the past 30 plus years and continues to carry out this important work in an ever more challenging environment. The charity caters for less advantaged and distressed families of retailers and suppliers alike and I look forward to making a significant impact to what is a very important and worthwhile cause during 2014”.
Willie was appointed Managing Director of leading Irish retail and wholesale business, BWG Foods in December 2009. Prior to that he was Managing Director of retail brand MACE (part of BWG Foods) and he was also a Cash & Carry Director with the Group in the mid-1990’s. .
An engineer by profession, Willie holds an MBA and has previously occupied senior positions at O2 Ireland, TransAer and Irish Distillers.
About the Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund
The Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund (IGBF), founded over 30 years ago, by Mr. Tim Nolan and the late Mr. Gerry Duffy is a national registered charity assisting people in the retail, wholesale and supplier trade sectors.
The objective of the fund is to provide financial relief for persons in need who have been involved in these trade sectors.
For over 30 years, enormous assistance has been provided to relieve hardship amongst unemployed and retired members and their spouses, who have fallen on difficult times because of ill health or bereavement.
The charity currently assists nearly 300 families / individuals monthly and will contribute over €650,000 annually on welfare support without any governmental funding. The breadth and depth of support is inclusive of annual annuities and crisis grants.
The Fund is a registered charity – No. 6577 and also a registered friendly society – No. 1775F.
