The Gaelic Players Association has announced a partnership with Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind as its Official Charity Partner for 2025.
Players will support the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind by raising vital funds for the charity and highlighting the amazing work they do.
Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind is Ireland’s national charity, dedicated to helping people who are vision impaired and families of children with autism achieve improved mobility and independence.
The GPA have sponsored two 4-week-old pups, Paw-Dí and Peil, who will undergo training to become Guide Dogs or Assistance Dogs.
The pups were named by inter-county players and partnership ambassadors passionate about the work of the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Paw-Dí and Peil were too young to attend a photocall to mark the beginning of the partnership today so they sent along their friends Belle, Paris and Qeb.
Leadership from both parties and player ambassadors, Amy O’Connor (Cork Camogie), Dessie Ward (Monaghan Football), Clare Owens (Leitrim Football) and Shane Walsh (Galway Football), were also at the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin.
“We are very proud to welcome the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind on board as our charity partner for 2025,” said Tom Parsons, CEO of the GPA.
“The invaluable work they carry out in communities across Ireland really resonates with players, and they are 100% aligned with the GPA’s value of caring. We look forward to a great partnership.”
“We are delighted to have been chosen as the GPA’s Charity Partner for 2025; an organisation whose focus on player welfare and advocacy aligns with our mission to bring independence and mobility to our clients and their families and create more supportive and inclusive communities,” added Tim O’Mahoney, CEO of the Charity.
“We’ll, of course, be updating the GPA on Paw-Dí and Peil’s progress during their training journey to change the life of someone who is blind or vision impaired or the family of a child with autism.”
The GPA is making a €10,000 donation to the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, while they will also be given a central place at one of the GPA’s Legend’s Lunches later this year.
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SPORT FOR BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE
The spotlight inter-county players can bring to a charity is vital in building visibility, and the selection of a Charity partnership is never one that should be taken lightly or left to just a donation.
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