Employees of permanent tsb have raised €242,000 (€121,000 each) for 2 Irish charities: the Cork University Hospital (CUH) Children’s Unit and Cystic Fibrosis Ireland (CF Ireland). Funds raised by staff with a matching donation by the bank were raised through a variety of activities including a Gala Ball, a ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ Competition, a quiz night, various cake sales and marathon runs.
Funds donated to CUH will be used to purchase essential equipment for a new centre of excellence for children in the Southern Region including medical grade cots and high flow respiratory equipment. CF Ireland plans to redirect its donation to support patients who undergo a double-lung transport through various grants including a Transplant Grant, Exercise and Fertility Grant and a new Independent Living Grant.
Gilda Pender, Chairperson, permanent tsb Staff Charities said:
“There is a great sense of achievement and pride among permanent tsb staff in assisting this year’s two nominated charities in their fundraising efforts.”
Prof Michael Molloy Chairman Cork University Hospital Charity Children’s Unit said:
“Our goal is to transform the CUH Children’s Unit into a single centre of excellence for children with a range of illnesses including Diabetes, Cystic Fibrosis and Epilepsy. Phase 1 of the new build is underway and permanent tsb’s donation will go towards helping us to purchase some of the necessary equipment to furnish Phase 1 of this new build.”
Philip Watt CEO Cystic Fibrosis Ireland said:
“There has been a dramatic rise in the number of double lung transplants in Ireland from 4 in 2012 to 20 in 2014 and this momentum has continued. We urgently need additional funding to ensure we can provide the huge level of support required post-transplant to these patients. We will use permanent tsb’s kind donation to help provide practical support to patients at a very vulnerable time in their recovery.”
Meanwhile, permanent tsb Staff Charities has announced that its main nominated charities for 2017 are Special Olympics Ireland, Laura Lynn Children’s Hospice and Cycle Against Suicide. Each year permanent tsb staff nominate a number of charities and concentrate all fundraising activities for the year on these particular charities.