Industry & Business

Project management company, the Blanchardstown-headquartered Malone Group, has been announced as the media sponsor for Cystic Fibrosis Ireland’s (CFI) 65 Roses Day, taking place on Friday 12th April. 65 Roses Day – which derives its name from the way in which young children often first say the words “cystic fibrosis” (CF) – sees volunteers selling purple roses the length and breadth of the country to raise much-needed funds for CF services.

The sponsorship, now in its fourth year, will enable CFI to air a series of radio advertisements in the weeks leading up to 65 Roses Day urging the public to lend its support by buying a purple rose, completing a 65 Roses Challenge or donating online at www.65RosesDay.ie. The advertisements will be voiced by long-time CFI ambassador and anchor of RTÉ’s Six One News, Keelin Shanley.

CFI depends almost entirely on the public for the provision of its services and this 65 Roses Day is hoping to raise more than €120,000 for much-needed services for people with CF. These services include patient grants, CF clinical staff and funds for CF healthcare facilities.

Ireland has the highest incidence of CF in the world for its population and some of the most severe types. There are almost 1,400 people living with CF in Ireland and the number is increasing each year as a result of improvements in treatment and care.

People can support 65 Roses Day by:

• Buying a purple rose for €2 from volunteers, and in participating shopping centres and Spar Stores, or by donating online at 65RosesDay.ie
• Completing a 65 Roses Challenge such as playing 65 holes of golf non-stop, or baking 65 muffins for a bake sale at work, or having 65 friends and neighbours around for afternoon tea – for details visit 65RosesDay.ie
• Texting 65ROSES to 50300 for €2 [Text costs €2. Cystic Fibrosis Ireland will receive a minimum of €1.80. Service Provider: LIKE CHARITY. Helpline: 076 6805278.]

Commending Malone Group for its commitment to supporting communities generally, and people with CF in particular, Fergal Smyth, Cystic Fibrosis Ireland’s Fundraising Manager, commented: “The fact that this partnership is now entering its fourth year shows that when it comes to supporting causes that matter, Malone Group is in it for the long-haul. This sponsorship of our media campaign means that we can spread the message far and wide about the need to support the cystic fibrosis community and how people can go about that. The value of our relationship is not only reflected in the sponsorship that enables us to place advertisements, but in the fact that since Malone Group has come on board, the funds raised on 65 Roses Day have increased four-fold. We thank them most sincerely for their generous backing and look forward to building on our hugely beneficial partnership well into the future.”

For David Gannon, Managing Director Ireland, Malone Group, supporting the CF cause is a win-win for everyone. Staff are very happy to give something back to their communities, while they also derive a great “feelgood” factor from being involved: “We are delighted to be involved with 65 Roses Day. All our staff are involved in supporting the day, and it creates such a positive feeling amongst the Malone Group team. It’s a real privilege to work with Cystic Fibrosis Ireland on such a successful event, which is reflected in our long-standing support.”

If you’d like to volunteer and lend your support on 65 Roses Day by selling purple roses in your community or workplace, simply call Brendán on LoCall 1890 311 211, email fundraising@cfireland.ie or visit 65RosesDay.ie

People can find the appeal on Facebook at facebook.com/CysticFibrosisIreland and on Twitter at twitter.com/cf_ireland. The campaign hashtag is #65RosesDay.

CAPTION:

Pictured at a flower stall in Dublin’s Herbert Park ahead of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland’s (CFI) 65 Roses Day taking place on Friday April 12th is Keelin Shanley, RTÉ News Six One presenter and Cystic Fibrosis Ireland ambassador, with Alfie Dardis, age 6, from Stepaside, who lives with cystic fibrosis.