UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador SIR ROGER MOORE KBE LAUNCHES €1,000,000 FUNDRAISING DRIVE FOR UNICEF Ireland
New initiative between UNICEF Ireland and Topaz gives Irish consumers an easy way to help world’s poorest children
Thursday 15th January 2009.
The actor Sir Roger Moore KBE, a global Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF, has launched a new fundraising initiative between UNICEF and Irish owned company Topaz. In Donnybrook, Dublin yesterday, Sir Roger, best known for his role as James Bond, became the first person to contribute to the new scheme. From next Monday (January 19th) Topaz customers will be invited to add 2 cent to their purchase in aid of UNICEF Ireland at 100 company owned Topaz sites around the country.
The money raised will support UNICEF's work for children in 150 countries and territories worldwide. It’s thought the three-year partnership between Topaz and UNICEF Ireland could raise one million euro for the international children’s organisation.
At the launch Sir Roger said the scheme gave Irish people a wonderful opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of the poorest children all over the world. “Irish people have a well deserved reputation for generosity down through the years - and not just in the good times. By supporting this initiative, people will be able to help UNICEF save children's lives and make the world a better place for children."
Melanie Verwoerd, Executive Director of UNICEF Ireland said, “Through this new partnership with Topaz, UNICEF will be able to raise urgently needed funds that will make a real and lasting difference to children’s lives. For example, 2 cents will allow UNICEF to purify up to 10 litres of water, enabling children to drink and wash safely, 4 cents will buy 1 sachet of oral rehydration salts and 10 cents will provide 1 dose of vaccine to immunise a child against polio.
Neil O’Leary Chairman of Topaz said “Topaz is delighted to enter into this partnership with UNICEF to raise money for UNICEF’s child survival programmes. We are confident that our customers will join with us in supporting this groundbreaking initiative.” Mr O’Leary explained that if a customer donated 2 cent when visiting a Topaz site once a week every week in the year this would amount to just over €1 per annum.
“Given the volume of transactions at our sites - Topaz is the country’s biggest fuels and convenience retailer - and the enthusiasm of everyone at Topaz for this venture - we are confident we will be able to raise very substantial sums for this worthy cause.” Mr O’Leary concluded “this fundraising scheme is one in a series of initiatives by Topaz aimed at helping disadvantaged people and the environment and several others will be announced in the near future”.