Tirlán and its employees have hosted a number of fundraising events to benefit their communities across 2024 and have donated over €115,000 to charities.
The funds were raised through the Tour de Tirlán cycling event and the Tirlán Mountain Challenge, which took place in September and October respectively.
Tirlán’s charity partner, mental health support organisation Aware, and a number of other voluntary organisations working in communities across the south-east, midlands, and north-east all benefitted.
Over 130 employees took part in the fundraising activities in aid of Aware, Cois Nore Cancer Support Centre, South East Simon Community, and addiction rehabilitation service, Aiséirí.
Tour de Tirlán
The €75,000 raised through the Tour de Tirlán 2024 charity cycle was split evenly between the four charities Aiséirí, Cois Nore, South East Simon Community, and Tirlán’s corporate charity partner Aware, receiving €18,750 each.
The Tour de Tirlán charity cycle has now been running for 10 years, and Tirlán and its employees have raised €486,000 to date. Since 2017, the Tirlán Mountain Challenge has raised over €270,000.
Presenting the charities with their cheques, chief operating and consumer officer and chair of the Tour de Tirlán committee, Jim O’Neill said “it was great to see the level of enthusiasm amongst colleagues in raising money to support such good causes”.
Manager of Cois Nore, Mary Dolan said the charity will use the money to support its move to new premises on the Waterford Road in Kilkenny to provide its clients with a more spacious and comfortable environment to receive their treatments in.
Development, learning and engagement officer at Aiséirí, Noreen Condon said its centre for young people aged 15-21 years, Aislinn, based in Ballyragget will benefit from these funds.
“Aislinn caters for teenagers in addiction and this funding is vital to support the service. We intend to develop a sensory room where the teens can chill out, reflect, and have time away from the world.
“The monies will also go towards the development of the sports hall and the development of a sound system, improving the overall environment,” Condon said.
Senior corporate fundraising officer with South East Simon Community, Julie Curran said: “Homelessness is the social issue of our times.
“Based in Waterford, we support vulnerable men and women here in the south-east to leave homelessness behind, to rebuild their lives and to become active participants again in their local communities”.
“This significant donation is a reflection of the care and compassion that everyone who participated in the fundraiser has for people who are isolated and excluded,” Curran said.
Tirlán Mountain Challenge
Tirlán’s charity partner, Aware received a further €40,000 from the Tirlán Mountain Challenge 2024. The mental health organisation continues to see high demand for its services, with the Aware Support Line receiving an average of 80 calls a day.
Head of fundraising and business development at Aware, Stephen Butterly said the charity is also set to expand its offering in the coming year with the introduction of a new service for people experiencing depression.
“The monies raised will contribute directly towards the support of the many people across Ireland affected by depression, and help ensure that we can continue to be there for the people who need us most,” Butterly said.
Employee communications manager and member of both the Tour de Tirlán and Tirlán Mountain Challenge Committee, James Brennan emphasised the community spirit of the fundraisers:
“Events like Tour de Tirlán and the Tirlán Mountain Challenge are an opportunity for our employees to come together, to socialise, connect with each other, and to give back to our charity partners.”