Lee Keegan
Opel Ireland today (Wednesday, 16th November 2016) launched the 2016 GAA/GPA Opel All-Stars jersey, which will continue to support the Childhood Cancer Foundation, with the help of Opel Players of the Year, Lee Keegan (Mayo) and Austin Gleeson (Waterford).
Head of Marketing & PR for Opel Ireland, Gillian Whittall was joined by the two Players of the Year along with a group of children suffering from cancer, to launch the kit in Croke Park. These special guests had the chance to meet their sporting heroes before embarking on a tour of the historic stadium, making it a truly memorable day for all.
The 2016 Opel All-Stars jersey will carry the CCF (Childhood Cancer Foundation) logo on the sleeve for the second year, incorporating a gold ribbon, which is the international symbol of childhood cancer awareness, while a percentage of all sales will once again be donated to the foundation by Opel and jersey manufacturers O’Neills.
Sales of the 2015 jersey have exceeded €21,000 to date, with over €4,000 representing the 10% donation pledged to the charity by both companies as part of last year’s campaign.
Speaking at the launch, Gillian Whittall said: “We are so encouraged by the sales of the 2015 Opel All-Stars jersey, and glad to be in a position to support the charity once again through the launch of this season’s gear.
The team in CCF work tirelessly to advocate for awareness and improved services and supports for children with cancer and their families, and we are delighted to work in partnership with the GPA and O’Neills to assist them. We urge fans to pick up this year’s jersey, not just in celebration of a great season, but more importantly in support of the Childhood Cancer Foundation.
Lee Keegan
Dessie Farrell, Chief Executive of the GPA added: "The Gaelic Players Association has been privileged to have worked with the Childhood Cancer Foundation for the past two years and are delighted to see our partners in Opel once again lending such wonderful support to this voluntary lead organisation in its fight against childhood cancer in Ireland. The challenges facing children battling cancer and their families are enormous and we hope that, through the support of our players and the backing of GAA/GPA sponsors Opel, we can encourage and strengthen those children on their road to recovery."
Mary Claire Rennick of the Childhood Cancer Foundation continued to say: “Through the support of the GPA for the past 2 years and Opel, Childhood Cancer Foundation have increased public awareness of the devastating effects of childhood cancer on families and communities throughout Ireland.
This has led to a recognition of the need for improved supports and services for children battling cancer and their families. We are working to ensure that those supports and services are put in place. The charity is currently working with Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin and funding a number of projects at the hospital, which benefit children with a cancer diagnosis and their families.
“We are delighted that the CCF logo will again appear in the GAA/GPA Opel All Star jersey and are very appreciative to O’Neills and Opel for their kind donation from the sales proceeds of the Jersey. We look forward to the continued support of our charity partners the GPA and Opel for the coming year."
The newly designed 2016 GAA/GPA Opel All-Stars jerseys are now on sale from O’Neill’s.
Childhood Cancer Foundation, Main Street, Dunboyne, Co. Meath.
T: 01-5545655
info@childhoodcancer.ie
www.childhoodcancer.ie
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