Microsoft Ireland has raised more than €296,000 for children’s hospice provider LauraLynn with its annual charity cycle this year. Microsoft’s initial target had been a €100,000.
The event is in its 11th year and so far, has raised more than €1.4 million for LauraLynn.
“The annual cycle is Microsoft’s way of recognising the vital work undertaken by this very special charity,” said James O’Connor site lead and vice-president for Microsoft Global Operations Service Centre.
LauraLynn provides hospice and residential care for children with life-limiting conditions.
This year, 105 people took part in the 360-kilometre cycle, starting in Ballina, Co Mayo and finishing in Letterkenny, Co Donegal. The first cycle had just 10 participants when it was launched in 2014.
“Dedicated corporate supporters like Microsoft are central to our ability to grow and enhance our services year after year, supporting more and more children and their families across Ireland,” said chief executive of LauraLynn Kerry McLaverty.
The funds raised in this charity cycle will help LauraLynn to support children and families by expanding the charity’s services such as emergency and end-of-life care, crisis care and planned short breaks for families.
In 2024, LauraLynn provided a total of 3199 visits nationally, Ms McLaverty said in a statement.
“In September 2022, LauraLynn we launched our second community team hub in Mallow, which is now supporting families across the whole Munster region. Last February, the service expanded further with a new community team hub opening in Ballinasloe, offering support to children and families across the midlands, west, and northwest,” she said.
In 2024, LauraLynn supported 348 children and families and a further 377 families who lost a member through the charity’s initiative, LauraLynn’s community of care. LauraLynn has supported 860 children and families since its beginning in 2011.
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