Specsavers has expanded its sponsorship portfolio in sport through a new partnership that includes naming rights on one of the country’s biggest fundraising golf tournaments.
A new charity partnership with the National Council for the Blind of Ireland will include a two-year title sponsorship of the prestigious HolmPatrick Cup and fundraising of at least €30,000.
The national all-island competition was founded in 1932 and is the longest running and largest charity golf tournament in Ireland. The money raised goes directly to fund the NCBI’s life-enhancing services, which help over 8,000 people with sight loss as well their families.
The NCBI Specsavers HolmPatrick Cup will see GUI-affiliated golf courses across the country hold a qualifying tournament, the winners of which will qualify for the county final and compete for a place at the provincial tournament. The four provincial winners will then play at the final, which is hosted at the world-renowned St Andrew’s Links in Scotland.
“We are proud to support the National Council for the Blind of Ireland, which is the perfect partner for Specsavers,” said Kerril Hickey vice-chair of Specsavers Ireland.
The company is actually a collective of part owned local businesses supported centrally in much the same model as that of Supervalu. There are 2,000 stores around the world and 50 in Ireland.
The company is already invested in sport through its partnership with the GAA’s Hawkeye operation.
“There are currently over 51,000 people in Ireland living with blindness and vision impairment and this figure is rising,” added Hickey.
“As many as 75% of all cases are preventable so we are joining forces with NCBI to help educate people about the importance of regular eye tests. I would encourage golfers of all levels across the country to swing into action and participate in the NCBI Specsavers HolmPatrick Cup to raise awareness, vital funds and have some fun. It is also a fantastic opportunity to play at the home of golf in Scotland.”
“We are delighted to have Specsavers on board as a charity partner for the next two years,” said NCBI CEO Chris White. “Both of our organisations have such a wide reach throughout Ireland – between us we are in every community in the country.”
