Exiles to work with three Charity Partners for the 2014/15 Season

London Irish can today announce that the Club will work with three Charity partners - icap, Parkinson’s UK and the Irish Cultural Centre this season.  

The Aviva Premiership club will work with each of the three partners on a number of initiatives during the coming season to both raise funds and much needed awareness of the organisations.

icap is a charity that provides easy to access counselling and psychotherapy to Irish people and other minority, marginalised and disadvantaged communities in Britain.

icap spokesperson said: “Therapy can help people to deal with a range of personal difficulties including depression, anxiety, relationship problems, childhood trauma and difficulties coping in the here and now. Last year, we provided more than 10,000 therapy and counselling sessions across the UK, predominantly to Irish people, via our centres in London and Birmingham and our nationwide network of therapists. Many of the people we help are unable to pay for therapy and might not be able to access support without our service.”

Parkinson's UK was the UK's first Parkinson's support and research charity. For more than 40 years they have been working to find a cure to improve life for everyone affected by Parkinson's.

Parkinson’s UK Spokesperson said: “Every hour, someone in the UK is told they have Parkinson's. Because we're here, no one has to face Parkinson's alone. We bring people with Parkinson's, their careers and families together via our network of local groups, our website and free confidential helpline. Specialist nurses, our supporters and staff provide information and training on every aspect of Parkinson's. We fund research to advance our understanding of Parkinson's and what causes it. Our research also improves treatments to make life easier for people living with Parkinson's. Our work is totally dependent on donations so we are delighted to be partnering with London Irish this season.”

The Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith is acclaimed for providing one of the most ambitious programmes of Irish Arts & Culture in the UK. Their adventurous and progressive projects combine live music, theatre, film, dance, literature, history and art for children, adults and seniors from all backgrounds.

LICC Spokesperson said: “The ICC believes that Ireland’s culture is her greatest national asset, which distinguishes her on the world stage, and must be nurtured and promoted here in London. London is the Irish emigrant’s first port of call and there is a growing need for a fresh, well-located venue for all things Irish in London. The ICC is currently fundraising towards fitting out the brand new hub for Irish Arts & Culture in the UK, situated in a prime location opposite Hammersmith Station. We would like to thank London Irish Rugby Club for their kind support this year, and look forward to welcoming you into our new home next year.”

London Irish Commercial Director Jim O’Toole said: “Working with three important partners fits perfectly with the Club’s Community Responsibility ethos. We believe that all three contribute to areas that touch our supporters’ lives and their broader communities. All three charities work tirelessly and with our support, we hope they can continue this vital work and increase the number of people they reach."

 

The Irish Cultural Centre, Hammersmith.