Mercy Hospital Foundation in Cork named Official Charity of the 2014 Irish Open

Antonia Beggs championship director Irish Open pictured Micheal Sheridan Chief Executive and Eimear Keohane the Mercy hospital Fundraising with Shane Lowry past champion. – Picture: Fran Caffrey www.golffile.ie

The European Tour is delighted to announce today that the Mercy Hospital Foundation in Cork has been named as Official Charity to the 2014 Irish Open to be played at Fota Island Resort in Co. Cork from June 19-22.

The Foundation was selected from a shortlist of local charities by the Trustees of the Tour’s charitable arm, the Tour Players Foundation (TPF) who look to support charity in the regions that The European Tour hold events, with a specific focus on children and young people.

A range of charitable initiatives at this year’s Irish Open will help raise substantial funds for the Mercy Hospital’s Kids and Teens Appeal, which was launched earlier this year with the target of raising €100,000 to benefit the Foundation’s paediatric services.

The charitable initiatives which will be confirmed in due course by The European Tour will offer the opportunity for all involved in the Irish Open, whether a spectator or sponsor or player, to contribute to the Mercy Kids and Teens Appeal leaving a lasting legacy for the Irish Open return to Cork.

Micheál Sheridan, CEO, The Mercy Hospital Foundation, said: “Our mission is to support the Hospital in delivering the highest quality of patient care by raising funds to support advancements and innovation in the treatment and care of patients at the Mercy Hospital, the People’s Hospital. We promise to do our very best to provide you with a world class hospital, right on your doorstep, and this is only possible through the help of our supporters and donors, and charity partnerships like this one with the Irish Open.”

Shane Lowry, who chased Rory McIlroy all the way to the line in last week’s BMW PGA Championship, was in Cork recently and congratulated the Mercy Hospital Foundation on becoming the Irish Open Official Charity.

After meeting the charity representatives at Fota Island Resort after a practice round ahead of the Irish Open, Lowry said: “My girlfriend works as a children’s nurse so I can appreciate the efforts that go into making the youngsters’ lives better. As Official Charity of the Irish Open, the Mercy Kids and Teens Appeal should benefit greatly from this association with the game of golf.”

Mark Roe, former European Tour player and Chairman of the Tour Players Foundation, commented: “The Mercy Hospital Foundation’s work with young children in the Cork area made a strong impression on the Trustees and we are delighted to work with them in the coming weeks before and during the Irish Open to assist their fundraising for the Kids and Teens Appeal.”

The Mercy Kids and Teens Appeal, launched earlier this year by The Mercy Hospital Foundation, aims to raise €100,000 to benefit crucial areas of The Mercy Hospital’s paediatric services including redevelopment of the Children’s Leukaemia Unit at a cost of €10,000. This will include redeveloping the family room, treatment room, play facilities and overnight facilities for parents.

Funding for the POONS service for three years – €54,000, POONS is a mobile nursing service that administers treatment to children and young people undergoing cancer treatment in the child’s own home. The service covers a large geographical area throughout the county as well as other surrounding counties.

Bereavement Counselling and Support for children and Support for Education – €36,000. Many children are affected by the death of a parent or sibling and require Bereavement Counselling and other support services. For many other children and young people with long term illnesses their education can be affected and the Mercy Hospital Foundation provides support through the hospital Social Work Department to enable many of these children to continue their education following their illness.

Further information is available on www.mercyfundraising.ie or by calling (021) 4274076.