3 and the Tour Players Foundation has announced that almost €40,000 was raised for the Make-A-Wish Foundation at the 3 Irish Open last weekend in Killarney.
Make-A-Wish, the chosen charity of this year’s 3 Irish Open, helped turn the Killarney Golf and Fishing Club purple last Friday in order to raise awareness of the charity’s work of granting wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions. Players, caddies, officials, staff and fans alike turned out in their purple finery to support the cause.
Through the partnership of 3 and the Tour Players’ Foundation, the charitable arm of the European Tour and its players, along with a number of the event sponsors, several fundraising initiatives were undertaken in the run up to and throughout the tournament which took place over the August Bank Holiday Weekend, helping raise €39,034.98.
These included the auction of - Inside the Ropes – Caddie Experiences for 3 of the top players, Darren Clarke, Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry during the Pro-Am; the sale of “Purple Tournament Hats” with all proceeds going to Make-A-Wish; a charity drive run by the tournament’s Official Clothing Supplier, Kartel in conjunction with the Padraig Harrington Charitable Foundation whereby exact replicas of the poloshirts worn by Padraig Harrington on the course each day were sold at the Kartel stand with 50% of all proceeds going to the charity; the sale of other Make-A-Wish merchandise, not to mention donations from the general public all amounting to the tremendous figure raised.
An example of what Make-A-Wish do was highlighted at the 3 Irish Open as Peter McEnery, a 14-year-old from Killarney had his wish granted in three stages last week at the Kerry venue. Peter received his dream set of clubs from the golf equipment companies on the European Tour, played with his hero Padraig Harrington in the 3 Irish Open Pro-Am and met many of the European Tour Stars over the course of the event at the Killarney Golf and Fishing Club, including the newly crowned Champion, Ross Fisher.
Elaine Carey, Sales and Marketing Director of 3, said: “This was a fantastic week for the 3 Irish Open and for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Purple Day was a tremendous success and it enjoyed the full support of players and spectators alike. Throughout the week we had a once in a lifetime wish granted to Peter and great fundraising initiatives that will help the Foundation grant more wishes throughout the year.”
Susan O’Dwyer, Chief Executive, Make-A-Wish Foundation, said: “This week has exceeded our expectations, not only in relation to the granting of a very magical wish but also in the amount of monies raised for our charity. The generosity of the public has been incredible. We would like to thank 3, the European Tour, Kartel, the players, the caddies, all the suppliers, staff and the public for their generous support. Monies raised from this event will help us to continue to grant many more magical wishes like Peter’s.”
David Park, European Tour Charity Executive, said: “The level of support from everyone concerned in Killarney has been overwhelming, every single person involved with the 3 Irish Open has got behind Make-A-Wish, from Peter’s Wish to the fundraising during the tournament, Tour Players Foundation is proud to have partnered 3 to benefit Make-A-Wish to such great effect.”
Karl Swan, Kartel Managing Director, said: “The atmosphere in Killarney was fantastic. We greatly exceeded our target of selling a minimum of 100 special edition poloshirts, illustrating the amazing generosity and support of everyone attending the event. The support for all of the fundraising activities on behalf of Make-A-Wish was incredibly admirable and Kartel are proud to have been a part of it!”
3 Irish Open
3’s sponsorship of the Irish Open began in 2009 with the hosting of the event in Baltray Golf Club in Co. Louth. The event took place from the 14th to the 17th May and attracted 80,000 spectators over the course of the four days. The tournament will be remembered as one of the finest occasions in Irish sport as amateur Shane Lowry defeated a top class field to become only the third amateur to win on the European PGA tour after a three-hole play off with England’s Robert Rock. For more information on 3 Golf log onhere
3 & Irish Sport
3 plays an integral role in sports sponsorship in Ireland, particularly in golf and soccer. 3 is sponsors of Waterford GAA, Waterford United, UL Bohs and The 3 Irish Open, which is returning to Killarney in 2010. Following Shane Lowry’s victory at the 2009 tournament in Baltray, 3 became one of his first sponsors, supporting Ireland’s latest golfing talent.
3 has also sponsored Ireland’s top golfer, Padraig Harrington, at several Majors and is delighted to continue to show its commitment to golf at all levels in Ireland. In addition to this 3 has also sponsored the Irish Mixed Foursomes, the Irish Ladies Open Stroke Play and The Irish Colleges Golf Association
About 3
• Launched in 2005, 3 is Ireland’s fastest growing mobile provider and operates one of Ireland’s largest high speed networks
• 3 has over 500,000 customers and is the market leader in mobile broadband with over 200,000 subscribers
• 100% owned by Hutchison Whampoa, a leading international corporation
• 3 has over 26.8 million customers worldwide and is Europe’s leading 3G operator
• 3 holds 3G licences in Ireland, Australia, Austria, Denmark, Hong Kong, Italy, Macau, Norway, Sweden and the UK
