VIP visit from Mercy Kids + Teens Appeal

<strong><em>Official Charity Mercy Hospital kids visit Irish Open as fundraising exceeds €36,000</em></strong><br /><br />Three children who have undergone cancer treatment at the Mercy Hospital in Cork were treated to a VIP visit to Fota Island Resort during the Irish Open.

Luke McCabe, Cian Olden and Caoimhe Phelan met a number of players including European Ryder Cup Captain Paul McGinley, Shane Lowry and title contender Gareth Maybin, took a tour of the Players lounge, putting green and driving range and tried golf themselves in the CGI golf activity zone before watching the action.

The Mercy Hospital Foundation in Cork is the Official Charity of the 2014 Irish Open and a range of initiatives through the week are helping raise funds for the Mercy Hospital’s Kids + Teens Appeal, launched earlier this year with a target of raising €100,000 to benefit the Foundation’s paediatric services.

Earlier today the fundraising total from the event broke through the €35,000 mark as funds swell through the Birdie Pledge with €10, €20 and €50 donated from the Tour Players Foundation (TPF), the charitable arm of the European Tour, and  €5, €10, and €25 contributed by Official Supplier, Barry’s Tea, for every birdie, eagle and albatross made during the four rounds of the tournament.

A further €1000 donation was made from BAM Construction – one of the tournament Official Sponsors.

Additionally, €2,300 has been raised through the sale of programmes and draw sheets on the opening two days as spectators make their contribution to the fund raising throughout the week.

All funds will go directly to Mercy Hospital’s Kids + Teens Appeal, which is already €12,000 in credit thanks to all 48 professionals competing in Wednesday’s Pro-Am donating their appearance fee to the charity.