BWG Group to Donate €100,000 to Trinity College research programme aimed at ‘Future Proofing Ireland’ against infectious disease pandemics

BWG Group to Donate €100,000 to Trinity College research programme aimed at ‘Future Proofing Ireland’ against infectious disease pandemics
Professor Luke O’Neill and Leo Crawford, Group Chief Executive, BWG Group

BWG Group has announced its sponsorship of the Trinity COVID-19 Immunology Project with €100,000 in funding over the next three years.

The innovative research programme was launched to accelerate time-critical research and scientific discoveries to tackle the current pandemic and to help prepare Ireland against potential infectious disease pandemics in the future. It mobilises the expertise of Trinity’s world-leading immunologists and its frontline medical clinicians in St. James’s Hospital.

The leaders of the project include Professor Luke O’Neill, Professor Kingston Mills, Professor Aideen Long, and Professor Cliona O’Farrelly – all esteemed scientific experts who have been leading voices around the current pandemic.

Impact of pandemic

Speaking at the announcement of the sponsorship, Group Chief Executive of BWG Group, Leo Crawford said: “As a company that has a footprint in nearly every community across the country, we are acutely aware of the impact that the current pandemic has had on all Irish people and our wider economy. We have also witnessed essential workers, including our own colleagues, our retailers and their staff, put themselves on the frontline throughout the crisis to ensure that communities and vulnerable people had access to the everyday goods in a safe environment.”

“In recognition of their commitment, we are extremely proud to support the vital work of Ireland’s leading immunologists and clinicians to help tackle the COVID-19 crisis. Perhaps more importantly, we believe this funding will help our world renowned experts to continue developing the scientific knowledge and expertise we need to build resilience as a society and future-proof Ireland against potential future pandemics. It’s important for businesses to support projects of this nature and to stand up to help fight the good fight”.

BWG Group is the first retail/wholesale group to sign up to support the project.

Pictured at the announcement of the sponsorship in Trinity College were Professor Luke O’Neill and Leo Crawford, Group Chief Executive, BWG Group.