The convenience retail group has teamed up with Dublin-based artist, illustrator and muralist, Claire Prouvost, who created a bespoke illustration for the bag that incorporates the spirit and sports of Special Olympics Ireland and its athletes.

CEO of Gala Retail, Gary Desmond was joined by Matt English, CEO of Special Olympics Ireland; Special Olympics athletes Ayoub Deboub and Una Coates, who is also an online leader on RTE’s Operation Transformation this year, and artist and designer Claire Prouvost for the launch of the reusable shoppers.

Gala Retail has been a sponsor of Special Olympics Ireland since 2015, supporting the organisation through World Games, Winter Games and Ireland Games events. In recent years, due to challenges presented by the pandemic, this competition cycle has all but ceased and Special Olympics Ireland hopes that 2022 will see a return to sports and competitions for the organisation and its athletes.

Funds raised from sales of the limited-edition reusable shopper bags from Gala Retail will offer further support to the organisation, aiding the organisation in the delivery of the upcoming advancement games that will give athletes the opportunity to qualify for a much sought after spot in the delegation for travelling to the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin.

Speaking at the launch, CEO of Gala Retail, Gary Desmond said: “Gala is proud to sponsor Special Olympics Ireland and to support the organisation in continuing to deliver its valuable services. By creating this exclusive range of reusable shopping bags that celebrate the spirit of Special Olympics Ireland, we aim to raise additional funds to support the great initiatives Special Olympics provides throughout Ireland and get athletes back to the sports and competitions they love.

“The bold and colourful style that designer, Claire, has created for the bags perfectly encapsulates the essence of what Special Olympics Ireland is all about – community, sport and the joy this brings Special Olympics athletes across the country. By purchasing one of these bags, people can show their support for Special Olympics in style!”

CEO of Special Olympics Ireland, Matt English adds: “Special Olympics Ireland is thrilled that Gala Retail has launched these limited-edition reusable shoppers in support of our organisation and athletes.

“Bright, vibrant and representative of what Special Olympics Ireland stands for, we can’t wait to see people across the country using this bag with pride, showing their support for Special Olympics Ireland and its athletes and raising awareness of the work that we do.”

Artist and designer of the bags, Claire Provoust is a rising star in the Irish art scene and has delivered work ranging from large-scale murals across the country to designing for big name brands like Gucci and Brown Thomas.

“I was honoured that Gala Retail approached me to create a design for this campaign. Learning about Special Olympics Ireland and its commitment to its athletes, promoting joy, friendship and community through sport was really inspiring and I wanted to capture that connection and joy in my design,” she said.

“These limited-edition bags are a fantastic way for people to support Special Olympics Ireland and the great work it does, while promoting the use of reusable bags and adding a splash of colour to their everyday lives!”

Gala Retail has been a platinum partner of Special Olympics Ireland since 2015. The limited-edition range of reusable shoppers are available to purchase online from the 1^st March at www.gala.ie for €15, with all profits from sales being donated to Special Olympics Ireland to support the delivery of services and events for athletes across Ireland.

Caption: Pictured at the launch of the limited edition reusable shopping bags that Gala Retail has launched to raise funds for charity partner, Special Olympics Ireland, is artist and designer of the bag, Claire Prouvost (centre) with Special Olympics athletes, Ayoub Deboub (left) and Una Coates (right) with CEO of Gala Retail, Gary Desmond (back left) and CEO of Special Olympics Ireland, Matt English (back right).

The post Gala Retail teams up with artist to launch limited edition shopper in support of Special Olympics Ireland appeared first on Ireland's Forecourt & Convenience Retailer.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Special Olympics Ireland continued to support its’ network of 292 community based clubs and 7,351 athletes by working diligently to develop new ways to keep its athletes physically and emotionally fit. This included operating virtual clubs, which helped athletes stay connected and motivated, plus it gave athletes more opportunities to get involved in Special Olympics Health, Wellbeing, Leadership and Young Athletes Programmes. For the first time ever, athletes were also given the opportunity to enter virtual competitions and challenges.

Special Olympics clubs are transitioning to living with COVID-19 and many are making the return to sport or are preparing to do so. One such club is Club Ash Special Olympics Club who are receiving training so that their coaches and volunteers are equipped and empowered to adapt their training sessions in a safe way.

Athlete Eoin Carey from Ashbourne met up with the team at Brady’s of Coolquay today to thank them and had this to say: “ I am so happy to be back training at my Special Olympics club, it’s great to see all my friends again and get back to training so I can focus on my health.”

Also in attendance was Matt English, CEO of Special Olympics Ireland who said: “Raising vital funds has been very challenging during the Pandemic. I was thrilled to receive a call from Johnny Brady saying that he heard our appeal funds and wanted to support Special Olympics via Brady’s At Coolquay.  Funds raised are helping us to continue our vision, because, like our athletes, we can’t stop now. We want to reach more children and adults with an intellectual disability across the island of Ireland so that they too can enjoy all the benefits that sport gives which include improved physical and mental health as well as the huge social benefits being part of our clubs has on the athlete and their family unit. I would also like to sincerely thank all of Brady’s At Coolquay’s customers who supported this fundraising drive over the past couple of months, helping to raise an amazing €25,000!. I would like to also wish Johnny and the whole team continued success with their state of the art Platinum Auto Wash at Coolquay”

Johnny Brady, owner of Brady’s at Coolquay furthered “We were delighted to be able to support Special Olympics fundraising appeal, which suffered greatly due to the pandemic, and thanks to the generosity of our customers we raised €25,000 for Special Olympics Ireland. To raise this money we sold reusable branded cloths at our new state of the art car wash – Platinum Auto Wash – where we then matched the customers donation. It has been a great pleasure to meet Eoin, an athlete from our local group Club Ash, and look forward to hearing more of his achievements.”

In addition to supporting their network of athletes, clubs and volunteers, Special Olympics Ireland are proving that they can’t stop now by publishing an ambitious five year strategic plan. Some of the key focus areas are across early intervention through their Young Athletes Programme, building resilient, adaptable clubs, which includes an exciting new inclusive clubs model, new health initiatives, bringing athletes to the forefront and so much more.

Platinum Auto Wash Image (L-R)

Sean O’Sullivan, Eoin Carey, Matt English – CEO Special Olympics, Bryan Menton, Johnny Brady, Aron Evans, Pamela Kavanagh (Marketing and Communication Manager, Special Olympics Ireland).

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For any queries please contact Natalie Dennis, Marketing, JSB Holdings

Natalie@jsbh.ie

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