MACE Sales Director Peter Dwan recently presented Down Syndrome Ireland CEO, Barry Sheridan, with a cheque for €30,000, which are the proceeds of MACE Retailers’ Tour de MACE static cycling fundraising events.
All through the summer, MACE Retailers like Jewel Akber from MACE Black Bull in Drogheda invited customers and staff to donate between 15 minutes and 1 hour of their time to cycle and raise much needed funds for MACE’s official charity, Down Syndrome Ireland. Since adopting Down Syndrome Ireland as MACE’s official charity partner in 2017, MACE Retailers have engaged in a number of initiatives designed to raise awareness and funds for the worthy charity and have raised nearly €200,000 in that time. This year, for the first time ever, MACE renewed the partnership for a further two years with all funds raised going to support a new online education course for every adult aged 29+ with Down Syndrome in Ireland.
‘Ability Online’ will provide support to adults aged 29+ with Down syndrome who are struggling with isolation and job losses as a result of Covid-19. The course, which will run every 10 weeks, can be delivered remotely and combines online tasks and group discussions.
Commenting, MACE Sales Director Pater Dwan said he was delighted with the efforts of the MACE Retailers who hosted these events.
“We are very proud of all the MACE Retailers who hosted these wonderful events in order to support our charity partner Down Syndrome Ireland. The Tour de MACE events are great for the charity, the store and the local communities they serve. They are a fabulous initiative and a fun and healthy way to raise funds for a very worthy cause; all the more important now with fundraising under increased pressure in the current environment,” said Peter.
Barry Sheridan, Down Syndrome Ireland CEO Barry Sheridan was delighted to receive the funds:
“Each Tour de MACE event helped make a real and lasting difference to people with Down syndrome and their families throughout Ireland. Without this extra support from MACE Retailers, people with Down syndrome will struggle to engage in meaningful employment and with Ability Online’ programme for adults aged 29+ with Down syndrome we have been able to help in this regards. We are very grateful to MACE Retailers for all they do.”
