Broadcaster and journalist Brendan O’Connor and registered dietitian and broadcaster Aoife Hearne Aoife Hearne were on hand to help launch the start of a two year charity partnership between Down Syndrome Ireland and MACE. Also pictured are Lauren Newman (6) from Rathfarnham in Dublin, Martha O’Flynn (15) from Blackrock in Dublin and Aaron Doherty (9) from Dunshaughlin in Co. Meath.
Broadcaster and journalist Brendan O’Connor and Registered Dietitian and Broadcaster Aoife Hearne were on hand to help launch the start of a two year charity partnership between Down Syndrome Ireland and MACE, in which the retail group has set out to raise €300,000 for the charity. Funds will be raised through a combination of counter top charity boxes in MACE stores across the country, a contribution from the sale of selected MACE own brand products and a number of fundraising activities throughout the year.
Funds raised will go towards funding additional Down Syndrome Ireland (DSI) Regional Resource Officers around the country.
According to Mary Doherty, President, Down Syndrome Ireland, “We are delighted to have been selected by MACE as its chosen charity partner. Following research of our members needs, we are putting a new structure in place to give a better front line service to our member families throughout Ireland with the appointment of Regional Resource Officers around the country. The money that is raised by MACE will go directly into funding in this area,”
“Regional Resource Officers provide vital support and a point of contact for new parents who are often overwhelmed and can struggle with having a baby with Down syndrome. Families need so much help and support at local level, particularly in the early years, and our officers are available on the ground to give them the help they urgently need.”
Commenting on the new charity partnership Daniel O’Connell, MACE Sales Director said, “We asked retailers to decide who their MACE charity partner should be and they voted for Down Syndrome Ireland because the charity is centered on a cause that touches a lot of people and carries out great work in local communities. Down Syndrome Ireland has a nationwide footprint and this is very important to our retailers who also operate right across the country. We have an ambitious target to raise €300,000 for the charity, so we will be working with our independent retailers on several national and store level initiatives, and hope that our customers will be keen to show their support.”
For more information on Down Syndrome Ireland or to make a donation, visit www.downsyndrome.ie
