24th May, 2017: Nestlé’s employees in Ireland have committed to raise €70,000 for Down Syndrome Ireland (DSI) in a new two year staff Charity of the Year partnership announced today. The partnership will involve over 700 employees from Nestlé Ireland, Citywest and Nestlé's Wyeth Nutrition infant formula plant in Askeaton, Co. Limerick raising funds to benefit the services and supports provided by DSI for those with Down syndrome and their families. DSI supports over 3,500 members across Ireland through its specialist services in healthcare, education, early development, speech and language therapy and independence.
These funds will go towards a new Multi-Sensory and Family Room in Down Syndrome Ireland’s national support office in Ballymount, Dublin. This will provide a drop-in respite space available for family members and an area to relax when visiting Dublin for hospital appointments. The much needed funds will also contribute to services such as the Home Teacher Programme, Speech & Language Therapy and New Parent Support in the Limerick branch.
Andrew Shaw, Country Manager, Nestlé Ireland says: "Our staff voted for Down Syndrome Ireland as their staff charity of the year due to the essential support services it provides to enhance the lives of people with Down syndrome. We are proud to support the essential work carried out by this charity to improve and enrich the lives of its members across Ireland.”
According to Paul Van Rooiji, Factory Manager, Wyeth Nutrition "There are over 700 staff in Nestlé Ireland between our two sites in Citywest and Askeaton. Through our joint efforts and commitment, we have the potential to play a significant role in assisting this charity in achieving its goals and objectives to inform and support people in Ireland with Down syndrome, their families and the wider community.”
Mary Doherty, President of Down Syndrome Ireland said, “Our charity is the voice of people with Down syndrome and their families throughout Ireland. Each year we need to raise 95 percent of our 3 million euro costs to enable us to continue to provide services to our members across Ireland. This partnership will make a significant contribution to helping us to maintain our essential services. Many thanks to Nestlé and to all their staff for committing to raise these much needed funds for Down Syndrome Ireland.”
The two sites are planning a wide range of fundraising initiatives for the duration of the partnership. Through Nestlé’s Charity of the Year initiative, it has partnered with a number of Irish charities including Irish Autism Action and the Jack and Jill Foundation in recent years. Cumulatively staff have raised over €500,000 to benefit Irish charities since 2010.
ENDS