In addition to the official charities of Leinster Rugby, numerous other existing charities, hospitals and community projects benefit from the support of our players on a personal capacity.
Leinster Rugby will lend its support to the designated charities through themed events, complimentary tickets, support of fundraisers, provision of signed merchandise and by helping to raise awareness and support amongst Leinster supporters.
Many of the current squad have signed up to add their backing at ambassadorial level for each of the four charities and are looking forward to showing their support over the course of the season.
"We are honoured to be partnering with the Leinster Squad in highlighting the issues of older people in Ireland and ways in which we can all make a difference to the lives of others in our community,” Age Action’s CEO Robin Webster said.
"To mark UN International Day of Older Persons on the 1st October we will be asking the nation to ‘Share a Golden Moment’ by hosting a tea party for older people within their community. Age Action will be selling special tea bags to promote the day. Proceeds will go towards our Information Helpline which receives 6,000 calls a year with queries ranging from entitlements to elder abuse. In December we are organising a Christmas Home Box Appeal. With the big freeze last year, we were inundated with calls from older people struggling to get out of their homes to buy groceries. We rallied round our volunteers to visit isolated older people. We also provided support and advice to older people on how they could stay well and warm in their homes. With the support of the Leinster squad we hope to raise much needed funds in these difficult times to continue to provide high quality services to those who need it most."
Paul Ledwidge, Chief Executive of St. Michael’s House, added: "We are delighted to be selected as a charity partner of Leinster Rugby and look forward to working with the organisation in the year ahead. We believe this partnership will give St. Michael’s House the opportunity to raise awareness for intellectual disability amongst Leinster’s rugby players and followers and we will be encouraging everyone to support Leinster Rugby in the season ahead. We wish all players the very best of luck and thank them for their support.”
Fr. Peter McVerry, Welcome Home, commented: "Welcome Home Charity is delighted to be chosen again as one of Leinster Rugby’s four official charities. This is a great boost to everyone concerned with Welcome Home’s fundraising activities. Welcome Home raises money to support the work of the Peter McVerry Trust with young homeless people in Dublin. The generous support of Leinster Rugby over the last few years has been very beneficial for the charity in terms of money raised and increased awareness. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Leinster Rugby for their continued support and to wish them well for the coming season.”
Jim O’Malley, Corporate Partnerships Manager, Irish Cancer Society said: "We are pleased that Leinster Rugby has yet again chosen Action Breast Cancer as its 2010-2011 charity partner. It is a privilege to work with a team in possession of such enthusiasm and with a genuine commitment to the cause of Action Breast Cancer, a programme of the Irish Cancer Society. Not only are they working very hard on the fundraising aspect, they are also very committed to helping us raise breast awareness and helping to promote our information and support services for patients and their families.”
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