The iNUA Collection presents generous cheque to charity partner Down Syndrome Ireland in Dublin One on Thursday 4th May
The iNUA Collection selected Down Syndrome Ireland as their charity partner in 2019. The company is proud to have raised over €90,000 for DSI to date, due entirely to the generosity of colleagues, hotel guests, and the support of the Down Syndrome Ireland team.
At an event in Dublin One on Thursday 4th May, the iNUA Collection presented the fundraising cheque to the DSI team, represented by Gerard O’Carroll, DSI President and Aoife Gaffney, Head of Employment at DSI. 10 of the 15 Down Syndrome Ireland colleagues from across the group’s 12 hotels attended the event, along with their families, People & Culture Managers and General Managers to celebrate the ongoing partnership. Sean O’Driscoll, CEO of the iNUA Collection promised the groups commitment to continuing the €5 per €100 contribution to DSI for all vouchers sold across its hotels as well as introducing the ‘Clean the Planet, Not my Room’ campaign, where a €1 per room donation is made to DSI on behalf of guests.
Sean also recognized the support of Aoife Gaffney, Head of Employment and the team at DSI in being critical in the success of the National Employment Programme in our hotels.
The iNUA Collection organise and take part in a variety of initiatives across the group to achieve fundraising targets, raise awareness andengage with colleagues and also with guests. These range from one-off events in individual hotels such as sponsored charity runs/walks, non-uniform days and afternoon teas.
“With Community as one of our core values here at The iNUA Collection, we are delighted to continue supporting this partnership,” said Sean O’Driscoll, CEO of The iNUA Collection, “using our group resources and expertise to make a positive impact and engaging both guests and teams in this process. The practical supports offered by Down Syndrome Ireland are invaluable, and their work in supporting adult education and independence enhances the lives of thousands of children and adults with Down Syndrome across the country. Our fundraising efforts are one crucial way for us to support DSI and the important work they do. These efforts allow us to engage with our guests and colleagues in a meaningful way, building a sense of community and a sense of social responsibility. We are privileged to be part of this journey with DSI.”
Deirdre Buckley, The iNUA Collection Director of People & Culture, noted “As a team at iNUA, we unilaterally agreed on partnering with DSI as an excellent organisation, but the unexpected win for us all was our introduction to the DSI National Employment Programme to bring sustainable employment to members as part of the iNUA Collection partnership. Aoife’s passion for her members engaged our P&C and hotel leadership teams right from the start. We have worked closely with her to further enhance and develop opportunities of partnering on members’ work placements. Graduates from the DSI employment programme now come to us with skills that enable work readiness and so much more, so we have the opportunity to work alongside these graduates who have become valuable permanent colleagues.”
“Our valued partnership over the years with The iNUA Collection has been a huge success for us,” said Aoife Gaffney, Head of Employment, Down Syndrome Ireland. “It has resulted in many opportunities for our adult members with Down Syndrome nationwide, with iNUA providing 15 paid jobs to our members to date. The focus is not just on providing jobs though, but also thinking about progression. Only last year, the iNUA Collection developed an innovative Workbook that has made learning more accessible for colleagues with Down Syndrome. We are excited to continue our partnership for many more years to come and have exciting plans in the pipeline. We appreciate every bit of work and support from the fantastic teams across the iNUA Collection. They are making a long-lasting and valuable impact on the lives of adults with Down Syndrome and their families in Ireland.”
Gerard O’Carroll, President of Down Syndrome Ireland and father of Yann, a colleague of Muckross Park Hotel, said the iNUA Collection’s tagline #passsionateaboutpeople is demonstrated through this partnership and makes a difference to everyone’s lives, their Down Syndrome colleagues, the teams they work alongside and the wider community of guests and visitors in the hotels’
Please follow The iNUA Collection on social media to keep up to date with their latest fundraising initiatives.
- Instagram: @inuacollection
- Twitter: @iNUAHospitality
- Facebook: @The iNUA Collection
- LinkedIn: @The iNUA Collection
For more information on supports available from Down Syndrome Ireland, please visit www.downsyndrome.ie.
