Gas Networks Ireland, in collaboration with their long-standing charity partner Age Action Ireland, recently hosted a gardening blitz to help older people in the Glen, Knocknaheeny, Ballyphehane, and Grange, who needed assistance maintaining their gardens.
Employees from Gas Networks Ireland were joined by volunteers from their contractors, GMC and Murphys, to clear overgrown areas and ensure that the gardens of local older people are maintained and safe.
Marie Lyster, Customer Experience Manager at Gas Networks Ireland, who expressed her appreciation for the employees who volunteered, said:
“It was fantastic to see our employees, along with our partners GMC and Murphys, coming together to support such a worthy cause and provide much needed assistance to older members of our community.
Age Action Ireland has been Gas Networks Ireland’s charity partner for a number of years, and the collaboration has made a significant difference in the lives of many older people across Ireland. Through its Customer Satisfaction Monitoring Programme, Gas Networks Ireland has donated almost €65,000 to Age Action since 2019. This includes donations from text survey responses, qualitative commercial interviews, and participation in the ‘Dial Before You Dig’ online survey.
In addition to financial support, which resulted in Gas Networks Ireland winning the inaugural Age Action BIG Corporate Challenge in 2021, the utility has also donated €150,000 worth of carbon monoxide alarms to Age Action’s Care and Repair programme, ensuring that vulnerable older people are safe in their homes. In 2019, Gas Networks Ireland donated an upgraded van complete with Age Action branding to the Care and Repair team in Cork and has continued to service Age Action’s fleet of vans.
Age Action Ireland’s Head of Fundraising & Communications Carrie Benn emphasised the importance of their ongoing partnership with Gas Networks Ireland, saying:
“Our partnership with Gas Networks Ireland has been invaluable in helping us to support older people across the country. The dedication and commitment shown by Gas Networks Ireland during initiatives like the gardening blitz, as well as their ongoing financial support, have made a real difference in the lives of many older people. We look forward to continuing our work together to improve the lives of Ireland’s older citizens.”
In 2023, more than 160 of Gas Networks Ireland’s employees volunteered to facilitate and deliver over 70 local community initiatives. These initiatives include STEM education programmes such as ‘Energize,’ which encourages sixth-class pupils to continue science subjects in secondary education, ‘Time to Count’ – a numeracy support primary school programme, and the ‘World of Work’ education and career support secondary school programme. The company also engaged in biodiversity projects, fundraising initiatives, and, of course, gardening for the elderly with Age Action Ireland.
As a newly appointed UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Champion, Gas Networks Ireland remains committed to ensuring that responsible and social principles are at the core of their business, with the community placed at the heart of all that they do. Their partnership with Age Action, which is an example of the company’s commitment to sustainable development, particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing) and SDG 10 (Reduce inequality within and among countries).
Photo:
Gas Networks Ireland’s Paul Crowley, Áine Allen, Marie Sheehan, Mary Cotter and Jessica Long; with GMC’s Dylan Reidy, Robbie Kelly and Gerry Kidney at the Gas Networks Ireland gardening blitz in Cork
