Vision Sports Ireland launches MayFest with support from Aviva Ireland

Vision Sports Ireland launches the 41st Annual MayFest Event with support from Aviva Ireland having been selected as the Aviva Broker Community Fund, Charity winner for the Diversity and Inclusion award.

MayFest is Vision Sports’ muti-sport extravaganza weekend, packed with ‘come-and-try’ opportunities, competition and demo sport events for people who are blind and vision impaired, and their family and friends. This year, MayFest will take place in Dublin on the 21st and 22nd of May 2022.

Pádraig Healy, National Sports Development Manager of Vision Sports Ireland commented, “Vision Sports Ireland are delighted to be supported by Aviva Broker Community Fund for the 41st Annual MayFest. After a two-year break from in person events, we are very excited to host a wide range of activities for people with a vision impairment to come and enjoy at this year’s festival of sport. The UCD Sports Complex will be a hive of activity with sport for all ages and fitness levels to try. We are working closely with our NGB partners to have a full programme of activities and invite families from across the country to come and enjoy a weekend of fun and sport”.

Previously known as ‘The Irish Games’, MayFest has continued to grow year on year since 1981. Vision Sports is excited that MayFest 2022 will include a number of member-favourite sports and activities including swimming, athletics and blind/VI tennis, and new sports, including VI rugby and nature mindfulness.

According to the 2016 census, there are 54,810 people who are vision impaired or blind, and of these, just 15% participate in sport – approximately one third of the national average. Vision Sports’ MayFest aims to provide the opportunity for both new and existing members to try out new sports and encourage everyone to engage in a healthy lifestyle.

Commenting, Brian O’Neill, Head of Communications, Sustainability, Brand & Sponsorship at Aviva Ireland said: “We were deeply humbled to hear about and see the amazing work that our winning charities and community organisations are involved in, and the positive impacts that they have on peoples’ lives.  This year we introduced two new special award categories for the first time in recognition of organisations that are making a difference under the themes of Climate Action and Diversity and Inclusion, both of which align with our ambitions as an organisation. We were delighted to announce Vision Sports Ireland, nominated by Barry Ennis from Eppione Brokers, as the first Diversity and Inclusion winner. We want to ensure that our CSR programme continues to support the communities in which we operate, where our people work, and where our customers live”.

Now in its fourth year, the Aviva Broker Community Fund, increased its total fund by €20,000 to €120,000 last year to donate to worthwhile projects completed by charities and community organisations.  The Aviva Broker Community Fund awarded thirty-two separate donations, broken down as follows: One charity donation of €20,000 to the best submission, plus four runner-up donations of €5,000 to the shortlisted charities. Three local community organisation donations of €10,000 to the best submissions, plus two donations of €5,000 to those shortlisted community organisations.

Two donations of €10,000 each, to two projects that aligned with the themes of diversity and inclusion and climate action. €1,000 donated to 20 charities and community organisations drawn from the list of those entries not shortlisted.

Tickets are now on sale. A full list of all the events and activities planned can be found at MayFest – Vision Sports Ireland

 

 

Photo from left to right, Caitlin Flanagan, Aviva Ireland, Barry Ennis and Joe Geraghty, Vision Sports Ireland.
Photo from left to right Caitlin Flanagan Aviva Ireland Barry Ennis and Joe Geraghty Vision Sports Ireland

 

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