Six charities benefit from airport's fundraising venture

Ireland West Airport staff were delighted to present a cheque for a record €46,500 to the airport's six staff nominated charities for 2024 – ACT for Meningitis, BUMBLEance, Down Syndrome Ireland (Mayo Branch), Irish Red Cross, Mayo Mountain Rescue, and Western Care Association. The record amount will be shared equally between the six charities.

Several fundraising events took place at the airport last year, including the annual Portwest 5km Runway Run, which saw over 1,200 people take to the airport’s runway in September.

The other major fundraisers included an Online Bingo Night, which was a huge success, in November and a bumper online charity draw, which took place in August. There was a fantastic response from the public and the three fundraisers raised over €40,000. The remaining money came from generous donations left in the charity boxes in the various locations at the airport by passengers and customers.

Joe Gilmore, Managing Director, Ireland West Airport, said: "Our annual charity programme is a very important initiative for the airport and one we are delighted to support each year. I’m delighted to say that 2024 has proven to be a record year of fundraising and we were so pleased to present a cheque for €46,500 to contribute to the fantastic work that these charities all undertake, which is the largest amount we have raised in the eight years since we launched this new initiative. 

"I am very proud of the continued support and commitment of our own staff in raising significant money for these charities every year and would also like to express our gratitude to all the passengers travelling through the airport who have donated so generously. I know that these donations and the funds raised will make a big difference to these charities and be a welcome support for the fantastic work that they undertake in the communities they serve."