A new approach to fundraising

The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 created a lot of challenges for charities. With planned fundraising initiatives put on hold, charitable organisations and their corporate partners struggled to find alternative ways to raise funds safely and in line with government guidelines and advice.

Working with our client, Gala Retail, RNN Comms set our sights on creating an event that would allow the Gala Group to safely raise funds for its charity partner, Special Olympics Ireland during the ongoing pandemic.

After a careful review of the guidelines and restrictions in place for Covid-19 in Ireland, RNN Comms created ‘Tee off with Gala Retail for Special Olympics Ireland’, Ireland’s first virtual golf tournament which invited teams of 4 golfers to play their best rounds, safely and at a distance at their local golf club over the course of a week and submit their scores to be in with a chance of winning some top prizes including a golf break for 8 people at the prestigious K Club as well as a range of golfing equipment and accessories.

The event was launched with the support of International Rugby star, Keith Wood, a patron of Special Olympics, who offered golfers the chance to play a round with him at Portmarnock Golf Club.

The event was also supported by 2019 Open Champion, golfer, Shane Lowry, an ambassador for Special Olympics Ireland and a close friend of Special Olympics Team Ireland golfer, Mark Claffey who helped to launch the initiative.

Promoted by Gala Retail and Special Olympics to golfers across Ireland via social media campaigns and press, Ireland’s first ever virtual golf tournament saw hundreds of golfers from across Ireland taking part in the event, raising thousands of euro for Special Olympics Ireland, helping the organisation to continue to support more than 8,000 athletes and Special Olympics Clubs across the country.