by Bernie English
THE Limerick branch of the Samaritans is set to share in a €26,000 donation from Shannon Airport, thanks to a memorable fundraising programme by airport staff, supported by Bank of Ireland.
Three initiatives organised by airport staff over the past 12 months saw it raise its largest figure to date across its annual designated charity programme, with all proceeds going to the airport’s 2014 designated charity, the Samaritans.
The main event was the Bank of Ireland Runway Run held on ‘Independence Day’, July 4 – the first night run on an Irish airport runway.
1,000 runners went to the line for a floodlit 5km trek along the airport runway that raised more than €17,000, largely thanks to generous Bank of Ireland sponsorship. Runners came from as far afield as Cork, Mayo and Dublin for the Runway Run, which was fully booked three days in advance.
As part of the fundraising campaign, airport staff also embarked on a huge endurance test for a day in May as they braved driving wind and rain to cycle 175km from King John’s Castle in Limerick to the Cliffs of Moher and back to Shannon Airport.
The first leg of the programme was a musical celebration in December of last year when more than 900 gathered in the main terminal building and gave generously at a rip-roaring free show by the queen of accordion music, Sharon Shannon.
Speaking at the presentation of the cheque at the airport, Shannon Group commercial director Andrew Murphy said staff were delighted to put their weight behind fund raising for the Samaritans.
