Schneider Electric are the principal sponsor for the Marathon de Paris (http://www.schneiderelectricparismarathon.com/en) which is taking place this weekend with over 50,000 participants from over 100 countries, among them 3 employees from Schneider Electric Ireland based in Maynooth - Alan Morgan, Eoin Hennebry and Peter Moran, all marathon first timers!

We would like to ask for your support of our participation in Marathon de Paris 2017 by raising funds for two great Children’s charities!

o    the Maria Goretti Foundation, provider of specialised respite care for children with special needs, and

o    the Children’s Medical & Research Foundation, principal fundraising body for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin as well as the National Children’s Research Centre.

The Maria Goretti Foundation can be described as an example of humanity and compassion, when people come together to help others less able. Initially conceived and funded entirely by the local community and businesses, to assist one local little girl with severe disabilities, what has been achieved is simply astounding! The result has been the development of a new purpose-built facility, providing safe and secure respite care to all children with special needs. Although that original little girl, has yet to experience the facility and all it has to offer, Alan’s son, Adam, has! For this reason, we wish to donate to The Maria Goretti Foundation to continue providing this social outlet, where the children can meet and play, develop new skills, meet new challenges, achieve new milestones, just like any other child! All while providing parents with a much needed break and an experience of ‘normality’ for a few hours!

Despite what we normally here in the news relating to our health system, we all hear of the amazing work performed every day in our children’s hospitals. However, it is only when the need to avail of these services ourselves, for our own children, that true admiration for all involved can be appreciated. Earlier this year, little Myles Keogh, needed that help, the help of Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin, for cardiac surgery. Months later, Myles is now stronger and healthier! For this reason, we also wish to donate to the Children’s Medical & Research Foundation, principal fundraising body for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, to ensure continued provision of these vital services for all our children, in case that need ever comes knocking again or closer to home!

If you are interested in supporting these fantastic charities, please donate via:

www.idonate.ie/SchneiderParis2017

Thanks for your support!

Alan, Eoin & Peter