Council Staff Raise EUR150K For Charity Despite Economic Downturn

Ireland (SANEPR.com) February 26, 2009 -- Over 300 Council employees have been making a voluntary contribution of 1.50 euro per week to the Staff Humanitarian and Benevolent fund since its inception in 2006.

The majority of the funds are donated to local, national and international humanitarian organisations whose aim is to relieve human suffering.

Commenting on the background to the Fund, Pádraig Power, Acting Facilities Manager, Limerick County Council, explained, “One of the biggest obstacles to fundraising success is organisations' inability to mobilise widespread participation in fundraising activities. This has not been the case at Limerick County Council, however, where a culture of fundraising has existed among staff for a long number of years.”

He continued, “The Staff Humanitarian Fund was established to harness the generosity of staff so they could collectively raise more money for and awareness of deserving charities. The Benevolent Fund, meanwhile, provides assistance to any member of staff that experiences financial hardship.”

National and international beneficiaries of donations to date include Concern, The Red Cross, Jack and Jill Foundation, Street Children of Bucharest, World Divine mission Africa, Irish Cancer Society and the Niall Mellon Irish Township Trust.

Local recipients of funds include Milford Hospice, Samaritans Limerick, Down Syndrome Limerick, Rathfreda House and the Dialysis Unit at Limerick Regional Hospital. Council staff also volunteer each year to organise a Christmas party for over 70 residents of St. Paul’s Nursing Home in Dooradoyle.

According to Mr. Power, “There are a large number of organisations that do not have a budget and do not receive funding from Government, foundations or other agencies. Consequently, it is only through fundraising that revenue is generated. Limerick County Council is delighted to be able to play its part in ensuring these organisations are allowed to continue to undertake valuable work in their respective areas.”

Mr. Power, who spent a number of years working abroad as a charity worker, noted that Council staff were very proud of the significant contributions they had made to organisations and projects at home and abroad.

Among the international projects assisted by the Staff Humanitarian and Benevolent fund is a Romanian orphanage, which has received humanitarian supplies as a result of fundraising efforts.

Meanwhile, over 250,000 euro worth of aid and 8 emergency vehicles have been donated to several villages throughout Kosovo. One particular village called Shale, which was bombed heavily during the Serbian-Kosovo conflict, receives annual supplies of sports equipment items such as copybooks, stationery, uniforms. In addition, the staff fund also helped the construction of a medical centre, which provides free health checks to the local people. The remote Balkans village has also received from a second hand minibus, ambulance and fire appliance courtesy of the Staff Humanitarian and Benevolent fund.


-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:
Padraig Power is available for interview and further comment. High resolution images are also available on request. To arrange please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 086-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
www.dunphypr.com
media@dunphypr.com
00353-868534900