More than Magic – Applegreen’s weeklong fundraising drive
Applegreen’s fundraising drive for Barretstown with ‘More Than Magic’ wrist bands available in Applegreen stores
The Applegreen Charitable Fund held a nationwide fundraising campaign, ‘Bands for Barretstown’, with all proceeds going directly to Barretstown. As part of Applegreen’s partnership with Barretstown, a variety of coloured wrist bands went on sale in Applegreen stores nationwide from Monday, 21st of August to Sunday, 27th August. Available to purchase at the till point for €2, donations were accepted for the rest of the week.
Designed by Zac Roche aged 13, the wrist bands were the result of Zac’s entry in an art competition from his previous visit to Barretstown Family Camp in 2022. Inspired by his time at the camp, he coined the phrase ‘Barretstown is more than magic’ having seen the magical effects of spending time at a family camp on site in Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare. Such was the impact of the design, it will now become the focal point for the upcoming nationwide fundraising initiative.
Zac and his sister Kristina (11), who has been unwell since 2012, are from Shanballymore, Co. Cork. Kristina has attended 3 camps in Barretstown since her diagnosis – a kids camp on her own, a family camp and a brother & sister camp earlier this year. It was at this brother & sister camp that Zac had the opportunity to design the band for his sister, as part of the camp activity.
Applegreen CSR Manager Rosie Begley, Mairead Ronan and Caroline Tobin, Barretstown Corporate Fundraising Manager welcomed Zac and his family (sister attending the camp that week) to Barretstown to celebrate his creation in person, who travelled down from their home in Shanballymore, Co. Cork for the special unveiling. All proceeds from the sales of the wrist bands will go to Barretstown to support their work.
Founded in 1994 by Hollywood actor Paul Newman, Barretstown offers free and fun, specially designed therapeutic camps and programmes for children with cancer and other serious illness, supported behind the scenes by 24 hour onsite medical care.
Applegreen CSR Manager Rosie Begley said “We are blown away by the colourful wrist bands created by Zac and he has certainly captured the essence of Barretstown with the phrase ‘Barretstown is more than Magic’. When the partnership was announced earlier this year, we got incredible feedback from our colleagues and customers and we know this particular initiative is going to go down well with all funds raised going directly to an incredible cause. The Barretstown ‘More than Magic’ bands were available to purchase at each till in all of our stores.”
Caroline Tobin, Barretstown Corporate Fundraising Manager added “Our partnership with Applegreen is so vital in helping us raise awareness, funds and volunteers. The funds raised from this initiative go directly into rebuilding the lives of children suffering from serious illnesses and I urge the public to get behind Zac and his family and show their support by purchasing his band in Applegreen stores.”
Barretstown is ‘More than Magic’ bands went on sale in all Applegreen stores nationwide from Monday, 21st – Sunday, 27th of August with all proceeds going direct to Barretstown.
