Local community backing helps Mayo children’s hospice secure €26,000 in funding

The Sunflower Children’s Hospice in Mayo has been chosen by people in its local community to receive €26,000 through the fifth annual AIB Community €1 Million Fund, helping the charity continue its important work across eight counties along Ireland’s western seaboard.

The announcement reflects community support from across Ireland, with AIB customers, the wider public and employees spotlighting the charities making a real difference in the places where they live, work and volunteer.

Since it was first launched in 2022, the AIB Community €1 Million Fund has supported almost 300 charities across Ireland. This year, the fund will again share support with organisations that are deeply rooted in their communities, from local services and volunteer-led groups to charities responding to everyday needs.

Through the fund, AIB is allocating €700,000 to charities nominated by customers and the wider public, with funding distributed across each of the four provinces and a dedicated category for charities in the Greater Dublin area. A further €300,000 will be donated to charities selected by AIB employees.

To mark AIB’s 60th anniversary, the bank has made a once-off contribution of €60,000 to the fund. This will provide an extra €10,000 for each region, helping even more community projects and initiatives reach the people who need them most.

The charities supported through this year’s fund will also be featured on the donation feature in the AIB Mobile App, delivered in partnership with Payzone, giving customers a simple way to continue supporting their work throughout the year.

Speaking about the support, Martina Jennings, CEO Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be chosen as a beneficiary of the AIB Community Fund. “To receive €20,000 from public nominations and a further €6,000 from AIB employee nominations means so much.

“These funds will help support the development of the Sunflower Children’s Hospice - the first children’s hospice in the west of Ireland and the first built in Ireland in the past 15 years.

“Families across eight counties rely on children’s hospice services, but currently many have to travel to Dublin to access this specialist care. Having the Sunflower Children’s Hospice in Castlebar will make an enormous difference, bringing vital care and support closer to home for children and their families at what can be an incredibly difficult time.

“We’re so grateful to everyone in our local community and to AIB staff who supported us and helped make this funding possible.”

Speaking about the fund, AIB managing director of retail banking, Geraldine Casey said: “Every community has organisations that quietly make a huge difference to people's lives, and the AIB Community €1 Million Fund is an opportunity to recognise and support that work. The charities selected this year were nominated by the people who know their impact best: the communities they serve.

“As AIB marks its 60th year, we are proud to provide additional funding to support even more local organisations. Congratulations to all of this year's recipients and thank you to everyone who helped shine a light on the charities, volunteers and community groups making such a positive difference across Ireland.”

For more information on the Sunflower Children’s Hospice visit here.