Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) employees and members of the public raised €300,000 (US$ 372,900) for its charitable partners in 2017, which included MS Ireland, Merchant’s Quay Ireland and My Canine Companion for Autism. Each charity was presented with a cheque for €100,000 (US$124,300) from DAA.
Staff raised the money for the three charities through a series of events, and the company also makes a significant contribution to the fund. Members of the public also support the initiative at donation points throughout the airport.
Dalton Philips, chief executive at DAA, said, “I am immensely proud of the continuing support and unwavering passion of DAA staff in raising this huge sum of money for charity every year.
“The €300,000 raised last year will make a real difference to people’s lives, and on behalf of our three charity partners I would like to thank staff and passengers who so generously contributed to the charity fund over the past 12 months. We’re acutely aware that these funds have the power to transform lives for the better.”
Last year, DAA employees rowed, cycled, ran marathons, baked cakes, lost weight through Operation Transformation, wore their county jersey or Christmas jumper to work, took part in quiz nights, race nights and a host of other event, all to raise money. DAA’s Charity of the Year scheme is managed by staff, who also select the charities to benefit each year.
Ava Battles, chief executive at MS Ireland, commented, “I want to thank all the staff and management at DAA and everyone who traveled through Dublin Airport for their overwhelming generosity and support in raising €100,000 for MS Ireland in 2017.
“As well as raising vital funds for our services, this partnership gave us the opportunity to create an awareness of multiple sclerosis and the work that we do here at MS Ireland. This will have such a positive impact on our local support services nationwide, as well as our respite care centre, ensuring that we can continue to make a difference to the MS community in 2018 and beyond.”