Gala Retail recognised for Excellence in CSR at Chambers Ireland Awards

Receiving the overall award for Excellence in Community for Partnership with a Charity- LIC, Gala Retail was up against some steep competition with A&L Goodbody, Dalata Hotel Group and Primark also amongst the eight shortlisted entries in the category.

Gala was recognised for its five-year year platinum partnership with Special Olympics Ireland, which supports 8,000 Irish athletes in Special Olympics clubs, helping them to train, compete and grow.  For many athletes, Gala Retail helped them to realise their dream of representing Ireland at the Special Olympics World Summer Games.

Commenting on the award win, Gary Desmond, CEO of Gala Retail adds: “Special Olympics Ireland has been our charity partner for the last five years and we’re immensely proud of how the partnership has grown.

Many Gala retailers have forged connections with local clubs and athletes, and as a community-centric convenience retailer, our collective efforts to support Special Olympics Ireland  – an organisation that provides athletes with far more than just the physical benefits of sport – has helped Special Olympics Ireland to continue to changes lives.

Winning such a prestigious award is incredible for the Gala Group, and it’s a testament to the efforts of our wholesalers and stores for really engaging with this sponsorship. Without such a brilliant partner, this award wouldn’t be possible and so much of this success is down to the exceptional support of the team from Special Olympics Ireland.”

This sixteenth annual Chambers Ireland CSR Awards ceremony was run in association with the Department of Rural and Community Development, partnered with Business in the Community Ireland and kindly sponsored by BAM Ireland. Boots Ireland was awarded with the Outstanding Achievement in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Award.

Speaking at the Awards ceremony, Ian Talbot, Chief Executive of Chambers Ireland said: “Congratulations to the winners of the 14 Excellence in CSR award categories, whom we recognise for their achievements. Our CSR Awards reveal how the benchmark of quality among projects implemented by businesses across Ireland continues to be driven upwards.

“The winning projects have also demonstrated engagement with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, which have been recognised through a new set of criteria in this year’s judging process.”