Ireland West Airport staff raise record funds for Irish charities

Ireland West Airport presented a cheque for a record €54,000 to the airport's six staff-nominated charities for 2025 – Connacht SBHI Branch (Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus), Dillon Quirke Foundation, Mayo Roscommon Hospice, Order of Malta (Knock Branch), The National Breast Cancer Research Institute, and Western Alzheimer's.

Each charity received a cheque worth  €9,000, having been selected by airport employees as part of the company’s Charities of the Year programme for 2025.

Over the course of the year, several events took place with Ireland West Airport employees getting involved to support six charities. The most successful fundraiser in 2025 was the annual Portwest 5 km Runway Run, which saw over 1,300 people take to the airport’s runway in September.

The other major fundraisers included an Online Bingo Night and a bumper online charity draw, which took place in August.  Additionally, Ireland West Airport raised funds through the recycling of plastic bottles deposited by customers and staff under the Re-turn scheme, which contributed over €5,000 to the overall amount raised for the charities.

Speaking at the cheque presentation, Joe Gilmore, Managing Director, Ireland West Airport, expressed his pride in the annual charity programme:

“I’m pleased to share that 2025 has been our strongest fundraising year yet, and we were thrilled to present a cheque for €54,000 in support of the vital work these charities deliver—our highest total since launching the initiative eight years ago,” he said.

Joe says the achievement reflects the ongoing dedication of the staff who go above and beyond to raise funds for charity.

“We are equally grateful to the many passengers who have contributed so generously while travelling through the airport. We’re confident these donations will have a real impact and provide valuable support for the incredible work these organisations carry out in the communities they serve,” he added.