Network Ireland hosting International Women's Day fundraiser for Kildare hospice

Network Ireland is preparing for a sparkling International Women's Day event, where guests will have the chance to win a one carat diamond necklace worth €5,000.  The money raised from the raffle is going towards this year’s chosen charities, IMNDA and Friends of St Brigid’s Hospice in Co Kildare.  

IMNDA provides invaluable care and support to people with motor neurone disease and to their families, friends and caregivers.  Friends of St Brigid’s Hospice raises funds for extra hours of Home Care where necessary and Home Care for patients with incurable life-threatening illnesses and their families.

2023 marks the 40th anniversary of Network Ireland and President Emma Early Murphy is calling on women to celebrate their successes, big and small.  Guests will have the opportunity to hear from a panel of female founders who will address and inspire the gathering next month.

These include founder of start-up The Smooth Company, Áine Kennedy entrepreneur Suzie O’Neill whose business, AYU Cosmetics, has become a global success stylist and image consultant Jess Colivet who continues to go from strength to strength after beating breast cancer, Valerie Roe who runs the very successful PR agency Valerie Roe PR MC is owner of Catwalk Modelling Agency, Mandy Maher.

Kildare County Council are this year’s event partner and CEO Sonya Kavanagh will tell her story about becoming the first female CEO of the local authority having begun her career there over 28 years ago.

Emma Early Murphy is welcoming their participation.  “I am delighted that we are able to bring so many inspirational women to Kildare for our special occasion.  This is a particularly poignant year for me as my presidency is the same year as the Brigid 1500 celebrations and St Brigid has always been an inspiration to me as an example of leadership, support for others and a determination to follow your beliefs and these are the principles by which Network Ireland was founded.  We are very mindful this year of the importance of equity and Sonia and I will be highlighting this issue during our fireside chat after dinner.”

Sonya Kavanagh said, “Kildare County Council is delighted to join with Network Ireland, to celebrate International Women’s Day, as part of our Brigid 1500 programme. Brigid 1500 celebrates the life of one of the most iconic and remarkable women in Irish history and we have embraced this opportunity, with Network Ireland, to celebrate other Irish women and explore their experiences.  We are very proud to support this fantastic event and to welcome business women, leaders, and entrepreneurs to County Kildare.”

Head of Branches at AIB, Deirdre Cleary said; “AIB is delighted to be part of Network Ireland’s International Women’s Day event once again. It’s particularly special as this brilliant group celebrates 40 years in operation. This year’s theme of ‘Celebrating Success’ is truly appropriate as we reflect on the support Network has provided to thousands of people, directly and indirectly, over the years and we all look forward to celebrating that success on International Women’s Day.”

Members from Network Ireland’s 17 branches will gather for the celebration at Carton House, Co Kildare on Friday, March 3rd.  There will be a raffle on the day for a 1 carat diamond necklace sponsored by Anderson Goldsmith & Jeweller and Ambit Financial Services.  All proceeds go towards IMNDA and Friends of St Brigid’s Hospice.

Gemma Watts, Head of Fundraising at IMNDA said, “Emma has been a wonderful supporter of IMNDA for a number of years and we’re delighted to be a charity partner for Network Ireland in 2023. Partnerships like this are a vital way for us to raise awareness of the condition and the needs of our members, and they also play an important role in our fundraising efforts. I’d like to thank Emma and all of the Network Ireland team for inviting us to get involved and be part of a great International Women’s Day celebration.

Dooley Insurance Group and DMPC are co-sponsors of the event while AIB is Network Ireland’s official partner.  Newbridge Silverware are the gifting partner and Lily O’Briens are the chocolatier partner.