Fundraising drive launched across the Topaz network in aid of the Children’s Charity
DUBLIN, IRELAND, 2016-May-03 — /EPR Retail News/ — Topaz, Ireland’s largest fuel and convenience retailer, today announced its support for ‘The LEGO® Exchange’, a new initiative that is seeing much-needed funds raised for their charity partner, the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation, through unwanted Lego donations to fund home nursing care for sick children nationwide.
The retailer is calling on customers across the Topaz and Re.Store network to donate their unwanted, loose Lego bricks with all proceeds going to Jack & Jill. Every €16 raised will deliver 1 hour of home nursing care to families in need. The charity drive aims to fund thousands of home nursing hours with the contribution of Topaz staff and customers in this Lego ‘exchange’ to fund home nursing care hours. It is hoped that families, preschools, schools and businesses across the country will jump on board and donate their unwanted Lego to Jack & Jill.
Topaz have already launched this initiative at 5 of their locations where customers can donate LEGO directly onsite. These sites include Clonshaugh, in North Co. Dublin, Kilmacanogue in South Dublin, Kill in West Dublin, Newcastle in Co. Galway, and Douglas in Co. Cork with more locations to follow. People can also donate their Lego by dropping it off at one of 38 DPD Ireland depots situated across the country, or the Lego can be donated or sold at the Jack & Jill Charity Boutique’s located in Newbridge, Arklow, Wicklow, Carlow, Crookstown and Naas, where bricks are being bought for €4 a kilo. All Lego drop off points are listed on www.jackandjill.ie
The Jack & Jill Foundation, which was founded in 1997, provides direct funding to families of children up to the age of 4 years old suffering from severe intellectual and physical developmental delay as a result of brain damage, enabling them to purchase home nursing and respite care.
While parenting for most is about feeding, changing, teething, and wishing for a good night’s sleep, parenting for the families supported by Jack & Jill involves coping with seizures, feeding tubes and pain, alongside medication, physio appointments and hospital visits.
CEO and founder of the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation, Jonathan Irwin welcomed the fundraising drive saying: “I am delighted to be at the brand new Topaz City Avenue site today along with Jack & Jill Fundraising Director Deirdre Walsh and we wish to thank our brand partner Topaz for their support in driving The LEGO® Exchange. This campaign is about finding a new home for your unwanted Lego bricks and raising money for home nursing care to help change a young child’s life for the better. We ask customers across the Topaz and Re.Store network to rescue their loose Lego for us, whether they might be stored in a cupboard or hidden under a bed. No need for boxes, instructions, or full sets – it’s the loose Lego bricks that we’re after.
This fundraising drive by Topaz, along with DPD Ireland’s 32 depots across the country, will make a significant difference to The LEGO® Exchange, through providing financial support to families in need. It also reminds these families that they’re not alone and that others care across the country. Thank you so much to everyone involved”.
MJ Tierney, Topaz Brand Manager said: “It’s impossible to fully comprehend the challenges faced by families across Ireland with children affected by severe neurological issues. The work of the Jack & Jill Foundation provides invaluable support to those who are in need of a helping hand. We’re delighted to be supporting this very worthy cause which we believe will change many lives for the better. This is a hugely creative fundraising initiative which we believe will go far in lending a helping hand to families who need it”.
The LEGO® Exchange is part of an ongoing, three-year charity partnership that will see €400,000 in much needed funding raised for Jack & Jill. Topaz and Re.Store customers can pledge their support to the Jack & Jill Foundation by donating their small change in stores across the network, with the ‘Small Change for Big Change’ campaign. Further staff and company charity engagements are also in planning for the coming months as Topaz aims to raise €200,000 in aid of the children’s charity this year.
Topaz Energy Group Limited,
Topaz House,
Beech Hill,
Clonskeagh,
Dublin 4.
Topaz Head Office Tel: +353 (0)1 202 8888
Topaz Home Heat: Tel: 1850 250 650
Topaz Fax: +353 (0) 1 282 8320
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