Dalata Hotel Group continues to support children’s health

IRELAND’S largest hotel operator, the Dalata Group, has announced a partnership with the Children's Medical & Research Foundation Crumlin (CMRF Crumlin) for a third consecutive year.

Over the last two years, the hotel group has raised €419,000 for CMRF Crumlin with an aim to exceed half a million by the end of 2018.

Dalata’s CSR model tasks each individual hotel with a specific fundraising target. Over the last two years, the group has seen competition grow as hotels strive to outdo each other, which ultimately leads to a stronger and more focused fundraising effort. 

So far in 2018, employees at Dalata already have a number of significant fundraising events planned. These include a cycle of the entire Wild Atlantic Way; the now annual Galway Ball; and a Carrauntoohil climb with over 100 staff members signed up.

Funds raised from the partnership have been invested in a substantive piece of research work in Neuroblastoma. This is a cancer of the nervous system that primarily affects children aged five and younger and is responsible for approximately 15 percent of childhood cancer deaths. 

One in five children in whom the cancer has spread significantly will not respond to treatment. Of those that do respond, 50 percent will develop drug resistance, leading in many cases to death. 

Dalata Hotel Group and all their staff are committed to this project and understand the great need for funding into research.

 Dalata Hotel Group is partnered with CMRF Crumlin in the Republic of Ireland, Cancer Focus in Northern Ireland and Great Ormond Street Hospital in the UK.

The combined total for fundraising across all regions over the last two years has been €563,000. 

Dermot Crowley, deputy CEO of Dalata, said: “CMRF Crumlin, like Dalata Hotel Group, has a national reach so we felt this was the perfect match for us and our staff. 

“Directly or indirectly, childhood cancer or illness is something that resonates with our employees and guests alike and we want to support this in any way we can. CMRF Crumlin provides vital funding to Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, who see 120,000 children in a typical year; and the National Children’s Research Centre (NCRC) to help fund medical research and strive for cures to childhood illnesses.”

 Lisa-Nicole Dunne, CEO of CMRF Crumlin, added: “To have such a strong and willing corporate partner like Dalata Hotel Group engaged with us for another year is absolutely fantastic. Their CSR model and how they harness competition between various hotels is amazing to see. They are deeply invested in our cause and have been able to really bring all their staff on what has been an amazing fundraising journey so far and we are delighted that journey is going to continue for another year.” 

CMRF Crumlin is more than 50 years old and in the past 10 years alone has provided over €87 million in funding to help children by supporting vital equipment and technologies, state of the art facilities and wards, accommodation for families and other crucial patient supports.

CMRF Crumlin is the principal funder of vital paediatric research in Ireland, working with the National Children’s Research Centre (NCRC) to enable investigation into the causes and treatments of childhood disease. 

Funding enables development of the scientists and research-active clinicians of the future, and supports the research that aims to change the landscape of child health forever.