Food company to raise €2 million for charity

Glanbia, the global food group, and its Irish consumer foods business, under the Avonmore brand, has committed to raise €2 million between now and 2011 for Barretstown, the therapeutic recreation camp for children with cancer and other serious illnesses.

The cheese and nutritional group, working with Avonmore will leverage support for Barretstown through fundraising and other initiatives. Avonmore is committed to creating increased awareness of Barretstown and will promote the camp on its milk packaging, as well as in its high profile advertising and marketing campaigns —including the popular Weatherline television sponsorship.

In recent years Glanbia worked with Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, where many of the children affected by cancer and other serious illnesses are referred to the Barretstown Camp in Co Kildare.

Glanbia human resources director Brian Phelan, announcing that Barretstown will be its designated Irish charity of choice for a three-year period, said that it has been proven that therapeutic recreation helps to rebuild confidence, trust and self esteem for the child and their family.

“The association with the Avonmore brand reflects a conscious decision by Glanbia to align its corporate and employee giving programmes with the business strategy,” Mr Phelan said.

Barretstown chairperson Danuta Gray said they were delighted to be partnering with Glanbia and the Avonmore brand.

“This is a huge boost, not only to our funding effort, but also to raising awareness of the amazing work that is done at Barretstown year round,” she said.

www.barretstown.org