Aurivo Co-Operative today announced the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind as its charity partner for 2021. Over the next 12 months, Aurivo employees will organise fundraising events for the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind as part of the co-op’s Charity of the Year Programme.
The vital funds raised by Aurivo will sponsor an Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind puppy who will be trained to change the lives of people who are vision impaired and families of children with autism.
Commenting on the announcement, Donal Tierney, Chief Executive, Aurivo, said: “Aurivo is proud to partner with the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind and to support the essential service they deliver to members of our community. The money raised will allow us to sponsor a puppy at the start of their training journey, who will one day become a life-changing companion for someone within our community. At Aurivo, we’re proud to partner with the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, and we look forward to helping them to continue to deliver their service to those who need them.”
Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind has been supporting members of the community for over 40 years, and all services are offered free of charge. It costs approximately €5 million to run the organisation each year.
John Burke, Corporate Partnerships Manager, Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, said: “We are truly delighted to have Aurivo on board as a corporate partner. By sponsoring the training of one of our puppies, Donal and his team have committed to making a tangible difference by enabling a person who is vision impaired or a family of a child with autism to actively participate in their community. We are really looking forward to supporting the Aurivo team and to seeing the pup progress.“
Marilyn Phillips, Group Head of Human Resources, Aurivo, said: “Given our ethos as a co-operative, supporting our local communities is at the heart of our culture, and we’re committed to giving back to the communities in which we operate in. The Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind depends on 85% of its funding from public and corporate support, and our team members are looking forward to fundraising for the charity over the coming months. The Charity of the Year Programme allows our staff, members, and customers to work alongside one another in the local community to raise vital funds for our charity partners.”
Aurivo has donated more than €440,000 since it started its Charity of the Year Partnership Programme. In 2020, Aurivo was proud to support the Irish Wheelchair Association and raise €40,000 needed to buy a specially adapted bus for the Northwest region.
Aurivo employees, suppliers, customers and members all engage with the Charity of the Year Programme, an important part of Aurivo’s Corporate Social Responsibility and Origin Green Sustainability Strategy. Other causes which have benefited from Aurivo’s Charity of the Year initiative include: Croí Ireland, Down Syndrome Ireland, Pieta House, ISPCC Childline, local Hospices; Special Olympics, Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland, Cancer Care West, Autism Ireland, Acquired Brain Injury Ireland and Cystic Fibrosis Ireland.
Click here to make a donation to Aurivo’s charity partner for 2021/22