ALDI Ireland has today announced the extension of its partnership with Barnardos, Ireland's leading children's charity. This renewed commitment highlights ALDI's ongoing dedication to supporting families across Ireland, as the retailer aims to focus its efforts on supporting parents and the primary care givers of our children, in the period ahead.
ALDI’s support will raise vital funds for Barnardos' Early Years and Family Support Services, assisting families in need across Ireland. The Barnardos Early Years Services work to provide children with the educational, emotional, and physical supports they need to start school with the same opportunity for success as any child. Barnardos Family Support Services offer support to the families of children, who may be experiencing crises such as domestic violence, mental ill health, or addiction.
Through this new phase of the partnership, ALDI will work with Barnardos over the next two years to help deliver much-needed resources and support to parents right across Ireland.
As part of the ongoing partnership, ALDI and Barnardos are working to create change in communities across Ireland, supporting families most at risk. In 2023, Barnardos supported over 26,000 children and families, 25% more than the previous year. Since the partnership began in 2020, ALDI has raised €2 million for Barnardos.
Commenting on the partnership renewal, Niall O'Connor, Group Managing Director, ALDI Ireland said: "Through our partnership with Barnardos, we’ve been able to make a meaningful impact on the lives of parents and families in need over the past four years. We are proud to extend our partnership for a further two years, where we will continue to collaborate with Barnardos, with a renewed focus on addressing and supporting the key issues that parents face. We want to help parents and care givers across Ireland to build better lives for children.
“Our goal over the next two years is to help raise an additional €1 million in support of Barnardos services nationwide. ALDI’s support will allow Barnardos to provide much needed assistance across Ireland, helping children and families most at risk. Together we are working to support thousands of children and families, with intensive family support, targeted interventions as well as early years support for children who need it most.”
Suzanne Connolly, CEO, Barnardos added: "We offer support to families in whatever way they need us – through services, access or even just a listening ear. ALDI Ireland has been a steadfast partner in this mission since 2020 and we look forward to continuing to work closely with them. Their investment over the coming years will continue to create a tangible and lasting impact for the families we support, and we will continue to provide assistance where it is needed most in caring for parents. Together we are working to support thousands of children and families who are struggling with deprivation, mental ill health, bereavement, domestic violence or other challenges – because childhood lasts a lifetime.
“We are working to change the story of thousands of children, and ALDI’s continued support is invaluable in transforming the lives of the families that we support."
Mark Brennan, Barnardos Project Worker, says: “We see first-hand the impact of ALDI’s support every day. The families that Barnardos work with know that our door is always open, and thanks to ALDI and their ongoing support, we can continue to invest in core services across Ireland to help those most at risk. We know that childhood lasts a lifetime and through our partnership with ALDI, Barnardos can create lasting change.”
Partnership to Date
Since 2020, ALDI Ireland colleagues and customers have raised almost €2 million for Barnardos. The significant contribution the partnership has made to date has enabled Barnardos to reach parents and families in need. Since first partnering together, ALDI and Barnardos have directly assisted thousands of families right across Ireland, raising vital funds for their Early Years and Family Support Services, including providing vulnerable children with healthy breakfasts, hot meals and nutritious snacks. The funds from the partnership to date have provided:
- 200 families with specialised counselling
- 2,000 children to be school-ready
- 20,000 meals for children at Barnardos
ALDI Ireland has ambitious plans to work closely with Barnardos over the next two years and will raise another €1m for the charity in that time. Through this support, ALDI and Barnardos will focus on directing efforts where they are needed most, in addressing the challenges faced by vulnerable families across Ireland.
