The Imperial Hotel raised €10,300 in aid of its charity partner, the Children’s Leukaemia Association (CLA), through their second annual Black Tie Gala Ball, which was held in October, 2017, as well as donations made over the Christmas period by visitors to the iconic hotel’s Imperial Express model train set.
Last year was the second year of the CLA’s charity partnership with The Imperial Hotel; and over the course of the partnership, the Flynn family-owned hotel raised in excess of €23,100 for the charity through a series of events and fundraisers.
A diagnosis of Leukaemia, cancer, and other blood disorders has a profound effect on a child, their family, friends and schools, and the CLA supports and assists families in any way possible during and after a child’s treatment. Funds raised help provide services, which range from financial support for families for all the exceptional needs of the child and their family, from initial diagnosis across all stages of treatment, including palliative care and funeral expenses, to funding ongoing education for staff, counselling and play therapy; as well as providing a home-from-home apartment for use by those families that have to travel distances, while their child receives treatment.
To date, the money raised through the charity partnership with The Imperial has been used to provide initial diagnosis payment for 27 families, who were diagnosed with Leukaemia or other cancers in 2016 and 2017, while funds were also used to provide a bone marrow transplant grant and funeral expenses. The charity also took 12 children and their parents to Lourdes, an annual trip the charity makes with the children and their families.
Speaking about the successful partnership, Frits Potgieter, General Manager of The Imperial Hotel said: “We were thrilled to lend our support to the CLA, who are doing tremendous work in helping families in need of support, as they go through such a difficult time in their children’s lives. At The Imperial we wanted to increase awareness of the devastating impact of Leukaemia on families, and to raise funds for the crucial services that help those that need it most. We would like to thank our team here in the hotel, who supported the cause, as well as those, who attended our Gala Ball and those who paid a Christmas visit to see the magical Imperial Express.”
Marianne Hanley of the Children’s Leukaemia Association said: “We are thrilled, as a Cork-based charity, that one of Cork’s finest hotels has raised awareness and support from its customers and clients, bringing to their attention the work we do through the CLA. We rely entirely on voluntary donations to maintain and develop the services we provide to sick children and their families, and we are very grateful and appreciative to the Flynn family, and especially to Frits Potgieter and all his team at The Imperial Hotel, for their support over the last two years. The money raised through this partnership has enabled the CLA to provide these families with support and assistance during one of the most difficult times in their lives.”
To find out more about the Children’s Leukaemia Association visit cla.ie.
