Charity collection announced at opening of The Clan Stand at Dexcom Stadium

HopeSpace, the Galway-based children’s grief charity, will host a fundraising collection this Saturday at the official opening of the new Clan Stand at Dexcom Stadium, as Connacht Rugby take on Leinster Rugby in a landmark home fixture.

The new Clan Stand, aptly named to honour past, present, and future supporters, will accommodate approximately 6,500 supporters and deliver state-of-the-art facilities for players, officials, partners, media, volunteers, and match-day attendees.

Its opening represents a significant milestone for Connacht Rugby and for sport in the west of Ireland.

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HopeSpace is proud to be the official Charity Partner of Connacht Rugby for the 2025/26 season. The partnership brings together two organisations deeply rooted in community, with a shared commitment to wellbeing, connection, and support for young people across the province.

HopeSpace provides a free, in-person, one-to-one listening support service for children, young people, and families throughout Connacht who are grieving the loss of a loved one.

Through trained volunteers, the service offers a safe and compassionate space where young people can express their emotions, understand that grief is a normal response to loss, and begin to heal.

The HopeSpace service provides critical early intervention, helps children express emotions around grief, improves coping skills and self-esteem, facilitates positive parent-child relationships, encourages open communication within families, and reduces parental stress and worry.

The partnership will see Connacht Rugby and HopeSpace work together throughout the season to raise awareness of the impact of childhood bereavement on families, promote the importance of mental wellbeing, and generate vital funds to support HopeSpace’s work across the province.

Connacht Rugby players and staff will engage in a number of fundraising and awareness initiatives, while HopeSpace will feature prominently at upcoming home fixtures at Dexcom Stadium. Supporters will also have opportunities to learn more about the charity’s mission and how they can get involved.

Willie Ruane, CEO of Connacht Rugby, said:
“We are honoured to partner with HopeSpace, whose work makes a profound difference in the lives of children and families facing the hardest of challenges. Community is one of our core values, and that same sense of community lies at the heart of HopeSpace’s mission. We look forward to supporting them this season and helping to raise awareness across Connacht of the vital services they provide.”

Myles McHugh, Chair of HopeSpace, added: “HopeSpace is proud to have been chosen as Charity Partner of Connacht Rugby, a club deeply rooted in the heart of its community and committed to supporting the wellbeing of young people across the province. This partnership will increase awareness of childhood grief and the supports available, helping us reach more families and young people who may be struggling with loss. Together, we aim to build a community where no child has to navigate grief alone.”

Supporters attending Saturday’s fixture are encouraged to support the HopeSpace fundraising collection or donate online.

To donate, visit here.

For more information, visit www.hopespace.ie or contact support@hopespace.ie

Pictured above (from left) Tony Lundon HopeSpace Board Member, Kathleen Hurley HopeSpace Board Member, Peter Dooley Connacht Rugby, Myles McHugh HopeSpace Chair of the Board of Trustees, Cathal Forde Connacht Rugby, Breda Fallon HopeSpace Board Member, Declan Farrell HopeSpace Board Member.