New partnership boost for Cork-based charity

IT wasn’t until the Maxol Group chief executive met and spoke with a guide dog owner that he fully realised the life changing impact that the highly-trained and intuitive dogs could have, giving a person both confidence and independence.

The head of the family-owned forecourt and convenience retail company, Brian Donaldson, was speaking as he announced a new partnership deal which would provide more than €300,000 for the provision of at least six assistant dogs as the firm pledged to use its store network across the country to support visually impaired people and the families of people with autism.

It costs approximately €53,000 to breed, train, and care for each of these special dogs over the course of their working lives.

At present there are over 360 in Ireland but, according to the Cork-based Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind charity, many more are needed.

The Maxol CEO said that a hugely compelling case had been made by Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind because of the “positive and tangible impact” the charity can have on so many people’s lives.

“This is a national organisation but with a strong and widespread community presence, much like our own business, and together with our local retailers we are looking forward to getting behind their work and ensuring Maxol makes a difference,” he said.

“Maxol will leverage its all-Ireland retailer network of more than 240 Maxol service stations to raise much-needed funds to help transform a person’s life.”

Tim O’Mahony, the CEO of Irish Guides for the Blind, said the charity was delighted to be chosen as Maxol’s new charity partner.

“Their support will have a huge impact; ensuring that we can deliver more guide dogs and assistance dogs over the next two years – essentially bringing independence and mobility to the lives of our clients and many families,” he said. “The partnership will have a life-changing impact across communities as we develop links with our nationwide volunteer branches and their local service stations.”