Retailer celebrating award nominations and efforts of all involved as fundraising target is smashed
Leading discount retailer, Dealz has raised almost €200,000 in just ten months for its charity partner, Barretstown, smashing its fundraising target and being shortlisted for prestigious awards along the way.
Last year, Dealz launched its fundraising partnership with Barretstown and set an ambitious target of raising €150,000.
This has been achieved by the combined efforts of its 2,400 colleagues, its loyal customers and network of Irish suppliers to support the charity’s efforts to rebuild the lives of children affected by serious illness.
This target has already been surpassed with colleagues in Dealz stores across the country raising more than €100,000. And, thanks to the roll-out of microdonation system, Pennies, Dealz customers are generously donating in excess of €10,000 per month to the charity at checkouts across the country.
This phenomenal effort has resulted in the partnership being shortlisted for Charities Institute Ireland (Cii)’s Best Corporate Charity Partnership 2023 and Dealz regional trainer, Thomas Mackin, being shortlisted for the Unsung Hero of the Year award at the AIB Merchant Services (AIBMS) Retail Excellence Awards.
The Cii awards aim to celebrate the most successful partnerships that have brought strong mutual benefits to both parties with the winner to be announced at the CEA2023 Gala Dinner on Wednesday, 11 October.
As a shortlisted finalist the partnership is also eligible for the prestigious 2023 People’s Choice Award. Voting in this category is open until 10 October and you can show your support by visiting https://www.charitiesinstituteireland.ie/pages/charity-excellence-awards.
The AIBMS Retail Excellence Awards’ Unsung Hero of the Year award recognises those who have had a positive influence on their business, are willing to help, have a commitment to excellence and always go above and beyond for the organisation and its customers. The winner will be announced on Saturday 11 November.
To celebrate all this success, the Dealz fundraising team and their trusty mascot, Dougie the Dog are hitting the road to bring some cheer to customers and colleagues at stores across the country.
On Monday 11 September they will be at Dealz in Drogheda Retail Park handing out sweets and treats for all to enjoy.
The party then rolls on to the Dealz store in Fonthill, where Dougie and the team will be joined by Barretstown’s double decker bus on the morning of Tuesday 12 September, before travelling to Blanchardstown that afternoon.
On Wednesday 13 September, the Dealz team will again be joined by the Barretstown double decker bus as it travels to Kildare in the morning and Newbridge in the afternoon.
And the fundraising efforts don’t stop there as Dealz is sending three teams – made up of directors, top fundraisers and community champions – to compete in a series of exciting and fun challenges in the Domino’s Amazing Race for Barretstown.
The discount retailer is also supporting Team Hope’s Christmas Shoebox Appeal. This annual campaign has, since 2010, delivered over 2.5 million shoebox gifts to vulnerable children across the world. Dealz stores are selling shoeboxes for those wishing to support the appeal and acting as drop off points for completed boxes.
Keen to praise these fantastic charitable efforts, Dealz’ Country Trading Manager, Sharon Sheridan said: “Year after year, our Dealz and Pepco colleagues have shown just how big their hearts are as they get involved in their local communities.
“That passion and desire to serve is part of what makes Dealz special. For our colleagues and customers to have already raised almost €200,000 for Barretstown is fantastic.
“I know our colleagues across all of our stores are rightly proud to bring our energies and talents to this charity partnership and help the vital work Barretstown does to bring magic into the lives of the kids, and families, that need it.”
Barretstown CEO, Dee Ahearn said: “Serious illness puts a child’s life on pause, fun is replaced with treatment and hospital visits, at Barretstown we press play on childhood.
“As a charity we rely on the support of donations and the fundraising efforts of corporate supporters, individuals and community groups.
“The money raised so far by Dealz customers and staff is simply incredible. This support will enable us to deliver our programmes to so many more amazing children, teenagers and young adults and their families.”
Since 1994 Barrestown has brought the magic of its specially designed camps and therapeutic programmes to more than 100,000 children. To find out more about the work it does, visit www.barretstown.org.
For more information about Dealz visit www.dealz.ie or find Dealz on www.facebook.com/dealzireland. You can also follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/dealzireland.
