Temple Street Children’s University Hospital announced as Tesco Charity of the Year
TV Presenter Sybil Mulcahy launches ‘Ireland’s Largest Face Painting Day’ to kick-start fundraising for the charity partnership
Tuesday, 7th October 2014: Tesco Ireland today announced Temple Street Children’s University Hospital as its new Charity of the Year partner 2014 – 2016. To kick-start fundraising for the partnership, TV presenter and mum of three, Sybil Mulcahy, helped some of Temple Street’s little patients launch ‘Ireland’s Largest Face Painting Day’, which will take place in 146 Tesco stores nationwide from 12noon – 4pm this Saturday, 11th October.
The charity partnership will see the funds raised by Tesco colleagues, customers and Temple Street supporters over the next two years, used specifically to help the children’s hospital to purchase life-saving medical equipment for its patients. Temple Street and Tesco are calling on all families and customers to take part in this fun-filled fundraiser and have their faces painted in their local store this Saturday 11th October in return for a donation of any amount – every little helps!
Speaking at the launch, Temple Street supporter, Sybil Mulcahy said; “As a mum of three I am delighted to be supporting this nationwide face painting fundraiser for Temple Street. The hospital and its staff offer so much more than just medical assistance to families and I’ll definitely be bringing my little ones to my local Tesco store to have their faces painted to help raise these crucial funds.”
Each year Temple Street, an acute paediatric hospital, treats over 145,000 children from across the country and operates the busiest A&E department in Europe. For thousands of children, Temple Street is the only hospital in Ireland they can be treated and through the charity of the year programme, Tesco colleagues and customers can help over 300,000 little people from all over Ireland get better and be real life heroes to children attending the hospital.
Commenting on the partnership with Tesco, Denise Fitzgerald, CEO of Fundraising for Temple Street Hospital, said “I would love to take this opportunity to sincerely thank each and every Tesco customer and employee for continuing to help our little heroes. In 2007 you raised nearly €1.5 million, helping us to build our neo-natal ward which cares for our tiniest patients. More than 4,000 critically ill babies have been treated there since. You gave them the best possible start in life. But now we need your help again. By raising money for vital equipment you are offering our patients a lifeline and you are their lifesaver.”
The Charity of the Year was selected by Tesco colleagues, who will volunteer their time this Saturday to host Ireland’s Largest Face Painting Day in stores across the country. Speaking at the announcement of the new partnership, Christine Heffernan, Corporate Affairs Director Tesco Ireland, commented; “Over 10,000 of our colleagues voted to select Temple Street Children’s Hospital as our new Charity Partner. In 2007 we raised nearly €1.5 million to fund a new baby ward at the hospital and over the next two years we hope to beat this and raise €3 million to fund the purchase of more vital life-saving equipment. We’re really proud to become part of the Temple Street community and we really hope that over the next two years we’re able to make life better for the thousands of children and families that come through the doors of the hospital.”
Ireland’s Largest Face Painting Day takes place this Saturday 11th October in all 146 Tesco Stores from 12noon – 4pm. Participants can have their faces painted in return for a donation on the day.
