Irish Open their hearts as €50,000 raised for charity

The 2014 Irish Open proved a major hit in Cork with more than 100,000 spectators visiting Fota Island Resort, and it also left a lasting legacy in the region with the tournament raising €50,000 for its Official Charity, Mercy Hospital Foundation and its Kids + Teens Appeal.

A variety of fundraising initiatives across the week brought in half of the recently launched Appeal’s six-figure target to assist crucial areas of The Mercy Hospital’s paediatric services.

The week began with 48 professionals donating their Pro-Am appearance fee to kick-start the fundraising campaign, which amounted to €12,000.

Then during the tournament proper the largest fundraising initiative, Irish Open Birdie Pledge, saw the Tour Players’ Foundation (TPF) and official supplier, Barry’s Tea, donating funds for each birdie, eagle and albatross made by Mikko Ilonen and his fellow professionals during the four rounds.

With a total of 1,453 birdies and 12 eagles plus a €1,000 donation from official sponsor, BAM Construction, the Irish Open Birdie Pledge raised a total of €23,155. An additional €4,983 was raised through donations made via sales of the official draw sheet and programme and a further €4,500 was raised by the charity themselves on the Mercy Hospital Foundation exhibition stand and prize draw.

Finally, The European Tour and Irish Open added a further donation to ensure that the grand total of €50,000 was raised for important areas of The Mercy Hospital’s paediatric services, including redevelopment of the Children’s Leukaemia Unit, POONS Service and a mobile nursing service.

Micheál Sheridan, CEO, Mercy Hospital Foundation, said: “The Mercy Hospital Foundation is extremely privileged to have been appointed the official charity of this year’s Irish Open.

“We are extremely grateful to The European Tour and its charitable arm, the Tour Players’ Foundation, for all their support before, during and after the Championship here in Cork.”