For the past five years, Channelscaler has committed to partnering with local Galway-based charities, setting an ambitious fundraising target each year so that we can give back to our community. This year was particularly special, as we partnered with SCCUL Sanctuary for our 2024 Charity Challenge to raise €50,000 in support of their expansion plans for 2025. On Friday, November 22nd, we were thrilled to welcome William Browne, Sanctuary Manager at SCCUL Sanctuary, TJ Forde, CEO of SCCUL Enterprises CLG, and Annette Bluett to our HQ office in Galway. Surpassing our goal, the team proudly presented them with a cheque for €50,873.
When joining us in the office to receive the cheque, Will shared his gratitude on behalf of the organization:
“Never in our wildest dreams did we expect to receive such a huge sum of money. In 2023 we reached capacity at our therapy centre. The funds Channel Mechanics have raised will now enable us to extend the SCCUL Sanctuary building and help more people facing life challenges such as Cancer, Parkinsons, Alzheimers and MS. I cannot speak high enough of the staff of Channel Mechanics. The dedication they have shown in fundraising but also in volunteering at the Sanctuary every Friday afternoon was exemplary. The impact of this partnership will leave a lasting impact for years to come. A huge thank you!”
SCCUL Sanctuary:
Based in Clarinbridge Galway, SCCUL Sanctuary runs tailored therapeutic retreat days for those living with serious health conditions or facing difficult life challenges. It boasts bright and modern rooms overlooking a tranquil woodland setting. With the growing demand for their services, Channel Mechanics committed to fundraising €50,000 to enable the team to start building a brand new sanctuary room that will face out to their sensory gardens.
The Road to €50,000 – Kickstarting the Campaign:
With our fundraising target in mind, it was time for the Channelscaler team to get to work! In the months leading up to the main event, the team couldn’t wait to get started. We dove into a series of challenges and activities to kickstart our fundraising efforts.
Streets of Galway 8km Run: Several employees got some early training for the main event, taking on the iconic 8km running event through Galway City in July. A special shoutout to Tom Maguire who was awarded with the ‘Fastest Feet in Channel Mechanics’ for being first to the finish line!
Raffles: We held a variety of internal raffles, most notably our “Go-Fish” raffle while on the Corrib Princess cruise in August.
Bake Sales: Other team members worked hard in the kitchen to bring our ‘Friday Treat Day’ to life, with all of us now looking to get our hands on Karen O’Connor’s secret brownie recipe!
Volunteering: We visited the SCCUL Sanctuary weekly to give a helping hand with gardening; from painting to grass cutting, and everything in between. Visiting the sanctuary was truly inspiring, and provided our team members with the opportunity to witness first-hand the service we were supporting.
Fundraising – Peaks to Plunge Challenge:
For the main event, the team brainstormed ideas for the perfect challenge to bring us together. After much deliberation, we ultimately decided on a 15km hike and sea swim in The Burren, otherwise known as our “Peaks to Plunge” Challenge.
The day began with excitement and anticipation as 44 team members gathered to hike the rugged Burren landscape, embarking on a challenging 15-kilometer trail known as the Blackhead Loop. From rocky trails to steep climbs, the hike through the Burren provided plenty of moments that tested our stamina—and, at times, our sense of direction!
The Wild Atlantic Way weather also made an appearance, with rain and winds adding to the challenge. There was a mix of smiles and struggles as we powered through the trails, but the competition was high amongst the team to complete the route in record time.
After completing the hike, we finished at Fanore Beach for the much-anticipated cold-water plunge. The Atlantic waters were as cold as expected, but that didn’t stop our team from diving in—some even went back for a second swim! Hot tea and coffee were waiting for us afterward, a welcome treat to warm us up again. We finished the day with dinner and drinks, to celebrate our achievement and and reflect on everything we had accomplished over the year in partnership with SCCUL Sanctuary.
In addition to taking part in the challenge, Channel Mechanics once again implemented our innovative ‘Donate a Day’ scheme which has now been running for five consecutive years. This scheme enabled employees to volunteer a day’s salary towards the fundraiser, with the company matching €200 for each contribution.
Reflecting on the Partnership
When we set out to raise €50,000 for SCCUL Sanctuary’s expansion plans, we knew it wouldn’t be easy. However, this was all made possible with the generous support of our friends, families, colleagues, customers, and the wider community with this fundraiser. We not only reached our ambitious target of €50,000 but exceeded it, and every donation or word of encouragement kept us motivated and focused in doing so. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in making this event a success, and a special shoutout to our charity committee for their outstanding efforts in the planning, organizing and commitment to running the event.
Get Involved
Channel Mechanics encourages those who can to join in our efforts to SCCUL Sanctuary. To contribute or learn more about this outstanding organization, please visit www.scculsanctuary.com to lend your support.
