The biggest winners in the surge in demand for professional sport have been the few players who can make it to the very top. On a world stage Rory McIlroy has achieved that perhaps to a greater extent than any other Irish sports star.
It is heartening to see that he recognises the importance of giving back to the community from which he came, not just with money which he would admit is the easy part, but in time and personal commitment as well.
Rory McIlroy has contributed £1 Million to Daisy Lodge, a new support centre for children with cancer in Northern Ireland and the project is one he would like to see expanded elsewhere.
Daisy Lodge is the first centre of its kind in the UK and Ireland and will provide every family affected by childhood cancer in Northern Ireland with a free therapeutic short break and also cater for youngsters from the Republic of Ireland.
It includes facilities for families nursing a child with cancer, the bereaved and families where a parent has been diagnosed.
McIlroy established the Rory Foundation last year in order to support charitable causes that are personal to him. “It is about giving back and being able to help others,” he said.
The Foundation is involved as a host and the official charity for the 2015 Irish Open being being held at the Royal County Down club in Newcastle.
As the tournament host, McIlroy is committed to enhancing an already world-class field by recruiting his fellow players from the European and US PGA tours, and he will also work closely alongside the Tour in developing the event’s commercial and sponsorship activities.
“It’s part of the plan to make the Daisy Lodge a focal point of the week next year.”
McIlroy Giving Back to Daisy Lodge
