Dealz has announced today (Thursday 5 October) that it will launch a major fundraising partnership with children’s charity Barretstown, which has already brought the magic of its specially designed camps and therapeutic programmes to 85,000 children since 1994. Barretstown, founded by Hollywood actor Paul Newman, will be Dealz partner over the next year. Dealz will make Barretstown the main focus of its community fundraising, harnessing the combined efforts of its 2400 colleagues, 6.5 million customers and network of Irish suppliers to help support the charity’s efforts to rebuild the lives of children affected by serious illness, and their families.
Watch the video of launch day in the Barretstown Dining Hall – Click Here.
The ground-breaking partnership, which will see Dealz aim to raise €150,000 over the next year, was launched at the charity’s headquarters at Barretstown Castle, Ballymore Eustace in Co Kildare today by Dealz country managers, Olivia McLoughlin and Sharon Sheridan. The new partnership comes as Dealz revealed it had raised almost €773,000 for Make-A-Wish Ireland over the past 11 years as Dealz colleagues and customers got behind various sponsored events, fancy dress days and challenges.
Sharon Sheridan country trading manager said: “Year after year, our Dealz colleagues have shown the size of their hearts as they get involved in their local communities.
“That passion and desire to serve is part of what makes Dealz special – and I know our colleagues across every one of our 78 stores can’t wait to get stuck into fundraising for the team here at Barretstown.
“We’re proud to be bring our energies and talents to our new charity partnership and the vital work they do to bring magic into the lives of kids, and their families, that need it.”
Barretstown is recognised as a centre of excellence in childhood cancer care and other serious illnesses. Since opening in 1994 the charity has brought the magic of Barretstown to over 85,000 campers. All of the children and families visit Barretstown free of charge. Everything, including accommodation, food and medical assistance are provided at no cost to the family.
At Wednesday’s launch event, the Dealz team heard from a parent who has attended both the Family Programme and subsequently the Bereavement Programme after the sad passing of her son Ben. Orla Wallace spoke about the positive impact Barretstown has had on her family before everyone was taken on a tour of the amazing campus and introduced to some of the camp activities.
Barretstown CEO, Dee Ahearn said: “We are thrilled that Dealz has selected Barretstown to be their charity partner and to bring the energy of their Irish team to support us.
“Serious illness puts a child’s life on pause, fun is replaced with treatment and hospital visits, at Barretstown we press play on childhood.
“As a charity we rely on the support of donations and the fundraising efforts of corporate supporters, individuals and community groups.
“To have a business with the reach of Dealz supporting us, will enable us to deliver our programmes to so many more amazing children, teenagers and young adults and their families. We’re looking forward to a long and successful partnership.”
For more information visit www.dealz.ie or find Dealz on Facebook or Twitter.