In spite of the fact that Athlone’s Nexans factory shut its doors six months ago with the loss of 96 jobs, a commitment to raise €10,000 for the South Westmeath Hospice has been honoured.
Thanks to mammoth fundraising efforts by management and staff, the target amount was doubled, and Nexans handed over a total of €20,000 to the hospice towards its building project.
In a novel fundraising move, the company organised an internal auction of various items of equipment and fittings, dedicating all proceeds to the South Westmeath Hospice. Between the regular fundraising and the final auction they succeeded in raising an astonishing €20,000.
Speaking at the official presentation, Michael Lucitt from the South Westmeath Hospice, ‘’The South Westmeath Hospice has received great support from the business and local community over the last couple of years. We were very pleased when Nexans offered us €10,000 and we were shocked but delighted to hear that had doubled to €20,000, particularly as the plant was closing down,” he said.
‘’The community in Athlone owes a great deal to organisations like this which not only have contributed to the local economy through employment but also leave a legacy in the area, in this case the development of the Hospice.’’
Tom Greene, financial controller from Nexans, said, ‘’We are glad to be in a position to contribute to the South Westmeath Hospice. A lot of work has gone into this development which will benefit Athlone greatly and we are very proud to be associated with it.”
